Aircraft Seat Power Distribution With Decentralized PED Load Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management systems for personal electronic devices (PEDs) onboard airplanes are limited and inefficient, often requiring centralized control and distribution, which can lead to suboptimal power distribution and increased system complexity.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized power management and distribution device (PMDD) that intelligently manages power distribution to multiple PEDs via direct current outlet units, using a control unit to adjust power limits based on measured demand, allowing for smaller, more versatile, and cost-effective power management at the seat group level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If centralized control and distribution of electrical power is used, then power management is simplified, but power distribution efficiency and user satisfaction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the airplane cabin into multiple zones, each with its own power management and distribution device (PMDD). Each PMDD independently manages power for direct current outlet units and alternating current outlets in its zone, enabling decentralized control that improves power distribution efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts power distribution based on real-time measurements of power usage at each outlet unit. The PMDD continuously monitors power consumption and reallocates power dynamically between direct current and alternating current outlets, ensuring optimal power distribution efficiency without requiring complex centralized control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more power outlets are provided for multiple PEDs, then user experience improves, but system size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing one large centralized power system, the patent segments power distribution into multiple independent outlet units distributed throughout the cabin. Each outlet unit is compact and lightweight, but collectively they provide extensive power supply capacity to multiple PEDs across different zones, improving user experience without significantly increasing overall system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Each outlet unit is designed to support multiple types of personal electronic devices through universal power interfaces. The direct current outlet units can power smartphones, tablets, and other low-power devices, while alternating current outlets handle higher-power devices like laptops. This multi-functionality allows a single lightweight outlet unit to serve multiple device types, reducing the need for specialized heavy-duty power systems.
3Productivity
If decentralized power distribution is implemented, then power allocation efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments power management into independent zone-based PMDD units, each handling a specific cabin section. This segmentation enables decentralized power allocation decisions at each zone level, improving overall power allocation efficiency while limiting complexity growth by confining control logic to manageable modular units rather than a single complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each PMDD autonomously manages power distribution within its zone based on local power usage measurements. The system implements self-service power allocation where each outlet unit monitors its own power consumption and requests additional power from the PMDD as needed, eliminating the need for complex centralized control algorithms while maintaining efficient power allocation through distributed autonomous decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a power management and distribution device (4) for powering a personal electronic device via a direct current outlet unit (6a; 6b; 6i) at a passenger seat in an airplane cabin, the power management and distribution device (4) comprising: a first interface (12) for receiving electrical supply power (10); a second interface (14) for supplying electrical supply power (10) received at said first interface (12) to another power management and distribution device (4i); a third interface (16) for supplying electrical supply power (10) received at said first interface (12) to the direct current outlet unit (6a; 6b; 6i) for the personal electronic device; a further interface (15; 17) for supplying electrical supply power (10) received at said first interface (12) to either an inflight entertainment screen (17a; 17b; 17i) or an alternating current outlet (5a; 5b; 5i) at the passenger seat; a power measurement device (82, 80; 85) configured to measure the electrical outlet power (20) drawn via the third interface (16) and the further interface (15; 17); and a control unit (18) configured to compare an electrical outlet power (20) measured by the power measurement device (82; 80, 85) with a PED power limit and to control the electrical outlet power drawn by the direct current outlet unit (6a; 6b; 6i) via the third interface (16) based on said comparison.