Aircraft Seat Control Unit Automatic Lighting Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft seat operating units lack the ability to automatically adjust light intensity and color based on environmental conditions, limiting passenger comfort and requiring manual intervention for customization, which can lead to undesired changes and increased complexity in design and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an electronic adjustment unit with a processor that automatically adjusts light intensity and color, utilizing a lighting unit with light-emitting diodes and luminescent film, and a centralized control system to manage multiple seat devices, allowing for flexible and specialized lighting configurations that adapt to different conditions and customer requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual adjustment of lighting is allowed for customization, then passenger comfort can be improved, but undesired changes by passengers occur and control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting customizationVSAvoidlighting setting stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically adjusts lighting parameters based on sensor data from the environment, eliminating the need for manual passenger intervention. The lighting unit self-regulates intensity and color temperature according to ambient conditions, ensuring consistent and reliable settings without undesired changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors environmental parameters through sensors and automatically adjusts lighting settings based on this feedback. This closed-loop control ensures optimal lighting conditions are maintained while preventing unauthorized or undesired changes by passengers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple lighting units are controlled centrally, then design consistency and maintenance simplicity improve, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign consistencyVSAvoidcontrol system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is designed as a multi-functional device that can manage multiple lighting units across different seat devices. This single control unit performs various functions including environmental sensing, processing, and coordinated control of multiple lighting units, simplifying the overall system architecture while ensuring design consistency.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple lighting control functions are merged into a single centralized control unit that manages all lighting units. This consolidation reduces the number of separate control systems needed, simplifying maintenance and ensuring consistent design across the aircraft interior while maintaining coordinated control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If light intensity and color are adjusted manually, then customization flexibility improves, but adjustment time and labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting configuration flexibilityVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures lighting settings based on environmental conditions and passenger preferences before actual use. The control unit automatically selects and applies appropriate lighting parameters, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and reducing adaptation time while maintaining flexibility for different scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting system dynamically adjusts intensity and color temperature in real-time based on changing environmental conditions and passenger needs. This automatic dynamic adaptation provides flexibility for various situations without requiring manual intervention, reducing adjustment time while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 passenger comfort by automatically adjusting lighting based on room conditions, reduces manual intervention, and simplifies design and maintenance by allowing centralized control and easy adaptation to various settings, while minimizing weight, assembly work, and costs.

Implementation Method 1

The lighting unit particularly advantageously has at least one light-emitting diode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a light-emitting film, which can be integrated in a particularly space-saving manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLuminescence: Luminescence

Data Source

PatentEP2117931B1Seat control unit
Publication Date: 2014.09.24 RECARO AIRCRAFT SEATING GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2117931B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2117931B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a seat control unit, in particular an aircraft seat control unit, having at least one light unit (10). It is proposed that the seat control unit have an adjusting unit (12) which is intended to electronically adjust the light intensity and/or light colour of the light unit (10).