Centralized control system for an aircraft cabin

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12503231-B2
Application number	US-202318832249-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 23, 2023
Priority date	Jan 26, 2022
Publication date	Dec 23, 2025
Grant date	Dec 23, 2025

Abstract

The present invention relates to a centralized control system comprising a power line on which a centralized control signal is intended to travel, and a plurality of switching devices, each associated with a seat unit, each switching device having an input connected to the power line and an output connected to a corresponding electronic control unit,each electronic control unit being capable of controlling a functionality of a corresponding seat unit depending on a state of the output of the switching device, a change whereto is induced by the centralized control signal, such that a functionality can be controlled simultaneously for all of the seat units of the aircraft cabin via a transmission of the centralized control signal.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . An assembly for an aircraft cabin in which a plurality of seat units is installed comprising:
a plurality of electronic control units each being associated with a seat unit, each electronic control unit being capable of controlling electrical equipment associated with a corresponding seat unit, wherein said assembly further comprises: a centralized control system comprising a power line on which a single centralized control signal is intended to circulate, said power line being relayed from one seat unit to another inside the aircraft cabin; and a plurality of switching devices each being associated with a seat unit, each switching device having an input connected to the power line and an output connected to a corresponding electronic control unit, each switching device ensuring galvanic isolation between the power line and the output of the switching device connected to the electronic control unit, each electronic control unit being able to control a single functionality of a corresponding seat unit according to a state of the output of the switching device, a change of which is induced by the single centralized control signal, such that the single functionality can be controlled simultaneously for all the seat units in the aircraft cabin via an emission of the single centralized control signal, wherein said assembly comprises a manual actuator capable of generating the single centralized control signal during its actuation, wherein upon activation of the manual actuator by a cabin crew member, the single centralized control signal having a DC voltage is generated on the power line, so that all seat units in the aircraft cabin receive the single centralized control signal and its desired active state, wherein at each seat unit, the switching device connected to the power line is powered so that a logic output of the switching device is closed, wherein the electronic control unit detects a current flow on the logic output of the switching device so that a state of the logic output of the switching device changes to 1 and the electronic control unit controls the single functionality corresponding to the state of the logic output of the switching device, and wherein upon no activation of the manual actuator, the single control signal on the power line has a voltage of 0V so that at each seat unit, the switching device connected to the power line is not energized, wherein the electronic control unit does not detect any flow of current at the logic output of the switching device, so that a state of the logic output of the switching device changes to 0 and the electronic control unit does not control any functionality.

2 . The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical equipment is chosen from: at least one seat actuator, at least one ambient lamp, and an electric lock for blocking an access door to an aisle.

3 . The assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the functionality of all the seat units is chosen from:
authorizing or prohibiting the use of access doors to the aisle for all the seat units; putting the seat units in the same configuration when boarding by turning on the ambient lamps in all the seat units; switching the seat units in the same configuration to a night mode by turning off the ambient lamps in all the seat units; putting all the seat units in an extended position for maintenance purposes; putting all the seat units into a seating position in the event of an emergency situation; or prohibiting all the seat units from leaving a seating position during a take-off, landing or taxi phase of the aircraft.

4 . The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the switching device includes an electromechanical relay.

5 . The assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the electromechanical relay comprises at its input a control coil to which the power line is electrically connected and an output switch whose open or closed state is modified depending on a power supply of the control coil by the power line, the electronic control unit being electrically connected to said output switch.

6 . An aircraft cabin comprising an assembly as defined according to claim 1 .

7 . Aircraft cabin according to claim 6 , wherein a manual actuator is arranged in a space in the aircraft cabin for cabin crew.

8 . An aircraft comprising an aircraft cabin as defined according to claim 6 .

9 . The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein each switching device of the plurality of switching devices is an electro-optical relay.

10 . An assembly for an aircraft cabin in which a plurality of seat units is installed comprising:
a plurality of electronic control units each being associated with a seat unit, each electronic control unit being capable of controlling electrical equipment associated with a corresponding seat unit, wherein said assembly further comprises: a centralized control system comprising a power line on which a single centralized control signal is intended to circulate, said power line being relayed from one seat unit to another inside the aircraft cabin; and a plurality of switching devices each being associated with a seat unit, each switching device having an input connected to the power line and an output connected to a corresponding electronic control unit, each switching device ensuring galvanic isolation between the power line and the output of the switching device connected to the electronic control unit, wherein operating voltage of the power line is a DC voltage equal to 28 Volts, each electronic control unit being able to control a single functionality of a corresponding seat unit according to a state of the output of the switching device, a change of which is induced by the single centralized control signal, such that the single functionality can be controlled simultaneously for all the seat units in the aircraft cabin via an emission of the single centralized control signal, wherein said assembly comprises a manual actuator capable of generating the single centralized control signal during its actuation, wherein upon activation of the manual actuator by a cabin crew member, the single centralized control signal having a DC voltage is generated on the power line, so that all seat units in the aircraft cabin receive the single centralized control signal and its desired active state, wherein at each seat unit, the switching device connected to the power line is powered so that a logic output of the switching device is closed, wherein the electronic control unit detects a current flow on the logic output of the switching device so that a state of the logic output of the switching device changes to 1 and the electronic control unit controls the single functionality corresponding to the state of the logic output of the switching device, and wherein upon no activation of the manual actuator, the single control signal on the power line has a voltage of 0V so that at each seat unit, the switching device connected to the power line is not energized, wherein the electronic control unit does not detect any flow of current at the logic output of the switching device, so that a state of the logic output of the switching device changes to 0 and the electronic control unit does not control any functionality.

11 . An assembly for an aircraft cabin in which a plurality of seat units is installed comprising:
a plurality of electronic control units each being associated with a seat unit, each electronic control unit being capable of controlling electrical equipment associated with a corresponding seat unit, wherein said assembly further comprises: a centralized control system comprising a power line on which a single centralized control

Assignees

• Safran Seats

Inventors

• Genevay Laurent
• Parage Frédéric

Classifications

• B64D11/06395

  characterised by the arrangement of electric motors for adjustment · CPC title

• B64D11/0015 Primary

  Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television · CPC title

• B64D2011/0053

  Cabin passenger reading lights · CPC title

• B64D11/0624

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

• B64D11/0602 Primary

  Seat modules, i.e. seat systems including furniture separate from the seat itself · CPC title