Integrated aircraft seat control panel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11618568-B2
Application number	US-202016997702-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 19, 2020
Priority date	Aug 19, 2020
Publication date	Apr 4, 2023
Grant date	Apr 4, 2023

Abstract

An aircraft seat may include an integrated control panel at least partially embedded within an armrest of the aircraft seat. The integrated aircraft seat control panel may include at least one signal path for communicatively coupling the user interface device to at least one component of the aircraft seat. The user interface device may generate signals for at least one control function of the at least one component following an input being received. The integrated aircraft seat control panel may include a textile covering coupled to the armrest and positioned above the user interface device, the textile covering including a plurality of icons configured to indicate the location of the at least one control function on a respective portion of the user interface device. At least one icon is configured to illuminate following a receipt by at least one of a power signal or a light source output.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. An integrated aircraft seat control panel, comprising:
a user interface device fully embedded in a cavity defined within an armrest of an aircraft seat, the cavity being accessible via at least one exterior surface of the armrest, the user interface device including at least one user input device positioned flush with or recessed relative to the at least one exterior surface;
at least one signal path for communicatively coupling the user interface device to at least one component of the aircraft seat, the user interface device being configured to generate at least one signal for at least one control function of the at least one component following an input being received via the at least one user input device; and
a textile covering coupled to the armrest and positioned above the user interface device, the textile covering continuous across the user interface device and portions of the armrest adjacent the user interface device, the textile covering configured to transmit the input to the at least one user input device, the textile covering comprising a plurality of icons configured to indicate the location of the at least one control function on a respective portion of the user interface device, and the plurality of icons including threading provided in the textile covering configured to be illuminated via at least one of a power signal and a light source output of the user interface device.

2. The integrated aircraft seat control panel of claim 1 , wherein the threading is luminous threading.

3. The integrated aircraft seat control panel of claim 2 , wherein the luminous threading is charged by the light source output, the light source output comprising one or more illumination sources.

4. The integrated aircraft seat control panel of claim 1 , wherein the threading is conductive threading.

5. The integrated aircraft seat control panel of claim 4 , wherein the conductive threading is charged by the light source output, the light source output comprising one or more illumination sources.

6. The integrated aircraft seat control panel of claim 1 , further comprising: a controller, wherein the controller is configured to regulate the at least one power signal or light source output.

7. The integrated aircraft seat control panel of claim 6 , wherein the at least one user input device is communicatively coupled to the controller.

8. The integrated aircraft seat control panel of claim 7 , wherein the at least one component of the aircraft seat includes at least one of an actuator of the aircraft seat, an illumination source of the aircraft seat, a temperature setting of the aircraft seat, or a power output source.

9. The integrated aircraft seat control panel of claim 7 , wherein the at least one component of the aircraft seat includes at least one of an actuator of the aircraft seat, an illumination source of an aircraft cabin, a temperature setting of an aircraft cabin, or a power output source.

10. The integrated aircraft seat control panel of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of icons includes translucent material.

11. The integrated aircraft seat control panel of claim 1 , wherein the textile covering comprises a compressible material that allows the user to transmit the input to the user interface device through the textile covering.

12. The integrated aircraft seat control panel of claim 1 , wherein the at least one user input device is configured to respond to a user interaction, the user interaction including at least one of a user touch, press, or hold.

13. The integrated aircraft seat control panel of claim 1 , wherein the at least one user input device is configured to respond to a user gesture, the user gesture including at least one of a dragging, swiping, or waving motion.

14. A passenger seating system comprising:
an aircraft seat, the aircraft seat comprising:
a seat frame configured to actuate between at least an upright position and a bed position;
at least one power output configured to drive an actuation of the seat frame;
a user interface device fully embedded in a cavity defined within an armrest of the aircraft seat, the cavity being accessible via at least one exterior surface of the armrest, the user interface device including at least one user input device positioned flush with or recessed relative to the at least one exterior surface of the armrest;
at least one signal path for communicatively coupling the user interface device to at least one component of the aircraft seat, the user interface device being configured to generate at least one signal for at least one control function of the at least one component following an input being received via the at least one user input device; and
a textile covering coupled to the armrest and positioned above the user interface device, the textile covering continuous across the user interface device and portions of the armrest adjacent the user interface device, the textile covering configured to transmit the input to the at least one user input device, the textile covering comprising a plurality of icons configured to indicate the location of the at least one control function on a respective portion of the user interface device, and the plurality of icons including threading provided in the textile covering configured to be illuminated via at least one of a power signal and a light source output of the user interface device; and

a passenger compartment shell.

Assignees

• Be Aerospace Inc

Inventors

• Hansson Charles Martin
• Iossifidis John
• Panesso Fabian

Classifications

• B64D11/00155 Primary

  Individual entertainment or communication system remote controls therefor, located in or connected to seat components, e.g. to seat back or arm rest · CPC title

• B64D11/0646

  Seats characterised by special features of stationary arms, foot or head rests · CPC title

• B64D11/06 Primary

  Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats (crew seat constructions for emergency purposes B64D25/04) · CPC title

• B64D11/0624

  Arrangements of electrical connectors, e.g. for earphone, internet or electric supply · CPC title

• B64D11/0639

  with features for adjustment or converting of seats · CPC title