Seat-Tracking Reading Light Control Without External Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reading light systems for passenger seats cannot adjust illumination in real-time with seat movement and require external sensors, increasing complexity and cost, and are not adaptable to various seating environments.
Innovation Solution
A reading light assembly with a drive mechanism and motion controller integrated with a seat controller, allowing the light source to automatically adjust its angle in response to seat pan actuator motion, eliminating the need for external sensors and enabling seamless tracking of seat movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional reading light systems use external vision-based sensors to determine seat position, then the illumination can be adjusted according to seat position changes, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the seat controller and light controller into a single integrated control system. The seat controller, which already exists to control seat pan actuator movement, is enhanced to also control the reading light assembly. This eliminates the need for separate external vision-based sensors and their associated controllers, reducing system complexity while maintaining the capability to adjust illumination according to seat position changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat controller performs dual functions: controlling both the seat pan actuator and the reading light assembly. By making the existing seat controller self-sufficient for both tasks, the patent eliminates the need for additional external sensors and controllers, thereby reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining illumination adjustment capability.
2Productivity
If external vision-based sensors are used to track seat movement, then real-time illumination adjustment is achieved, but the cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control functions for seat movement and light tracking into a single integrated system. The seat controller receives signals from the seat pan actuator position sensor and uses this information to control both the seat position and the reading light assembly position in real-time, eliminating the need for separate external vision-based sensor systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the seat pan actuator position sensor to continuously monitor seat position changes. This feedback signal is used by the integrated seat controller to automatically adjust the reading light assembly position in real-time, achieving real-time illumination adjustment without requiring complex external vision-based sensor systems.
3Reliability
If non-movable lighting subsets are assigned to different seat positions, then each seat position has dedicated illumination, but the system cannot follow seat motion as it occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static, non-movable lighting subsets to a dynamic reading light assembly that can move and track the seat position in real-time. The light assembly is mechanically coupled to the seat pan actuator through a linkage system, allowing it to dynamically follow seat motion as it occurs while maintaining reliable illumination assignment to the correct seat position.
4Ease of operation
If external sensors are used to determine seat position, then lighting adjustment is achieved, but the seating environment becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lighting control functionality into the existing seat control system. The seat controller, which is already part of the seating environment, is enhanced to also control the reading light assembly, eliminating the need for separate external sensors and their associated control systems, thereby maintaining ease of operation while reducing seating environment complexity.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective, adaptable, and user-friendly reading light system that automatically adjusts illumination to match seat position changes, enhancing passenger comfort without the need for additional sensors.
Implementation Method 1
the driven mechanism includes a Scotch-yoke mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A reading light assembly (102) for a passenger seat (202). The reading light assembly (102) includes a light source (104), a drive mechanism (106), a driven mechanism (108) coupled to the drive mechanism and the light source configured to change the angle of the light source, and a motion controller (110) configured to be communicatively coupled to a seat controller (120) for controlling a seat pan actuator (114). In use, the motion controller (110) is configured to coordinate operation of the drive mechanism with movement of the seat pan actuator, such that the such that the light source follows motion of the passenger seat. A passenger seat system including an adjustable passenger seat (202) and the reading light assembly (102).