Inductive power transmission in aircraft seats

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019300176-A1
Application number	US-201916448102-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 21, 2019
Priority date	Apr 7, 2014
Publication date	Oct 3, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

Described are aircraft passenger seat assemblies with a passenger seat, a component with an outer surface attached the passenger seat. An inductive wireless power unit with a coil assembly is included with the aircraft passenger seat assembly, and the coil assembly is positioned within the component. A portion of the outer surface of the component covers the coil assembly. Wires connecting the coil assembly to a power supply are hidden from view within the aircraft passenger seat assembly.

First claim

1 - 24 . (canceled)

25 . An aircraft passenger seat assembly comprising:
a passenger seat comprising a cutout; a component positioned within the cutout; and an inductive wireless power unit comprising a coil assembly, wherein the coil assembly is positioned within the component, wherein: the coil assembly is configured to charge a personal electronic device when the personal electronic device is positioned proximate to the component; and a portion of the component covers the coil assembly.

26 . The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 25 , wherein the component is at least one selected from the group of (i) a portion of a shell surrounding the passenger seat, (ii) a portion of a headrest, (iii) a portion of the passenger seat adjacent to an upper literature pocket, (iv) a portion of the passenger seat adjacent to a lower literature pocket, (v) a portion of a tray table, (vi) a portion of an arm rest, and (vii) a portion of a cocktail tray.

27 . The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 25 , wherein the inductive wireless power unit further comprises a printed circuit board positioned within the passenger seat.

28 . The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 25 , wherein the portion of the component covering the coil assembly is formed of non-metallic materials.

29 . The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 25 , wherein the portion of the component covering the coil assembly is integrally formed with a remainder of the component.

30 . The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 25 , wherein the portion of the component covering the coil assembly is coupled to a remainder of the component.

31 . The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 25 , wherein the personal electronic device comprises a second coil assembly positioned at a distance of 9 mm-35 mm from the coil assembly during charging.

32 . The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 25 , wherein the component comprises a portion of the passenger seat such that the coil assembly is positioned behind a stowage location for a tray table.

33 . The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 32 , wherein a second coil assembly is positioned within the tray table in a location that is within close proximity of the coil assembly when the tray table is in a stowed position.

34 . The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 33 , wherein the tray table comprises an electronic reader.

35 . An aircraft passenger seat assembly comprising;
a passenger seat back comprising an outer shroud; and an inductive wireless power unit comprising a coil assembly, wherein the coil assembly is positioned within the passenger seat back to charge a personal electronic device, wherein the coil assembly is positioned such that the personal electronic device charges while in an acceptable viewing position.

36 . The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 35 , wherein the inductive wireless power unit further comprises a printed circuit board positioned within the passenger seat back.

37 . The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 35 , wherein a portion of the outer shroud covers the coil assembly and is formed of non-metallic materials.

38 . The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 35 , wherein a portion of the outer shroud covers the coil assembly and is integrally formed with a remainder of the outer shroud.

39 . The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 35 , wherein a portion of the outer shroud covers the coil assembly and is coupled to a remainder of the outer shroud.

40 . The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 35 , wherein the coil assembly is positioned within the passenger seat back adjacent to an upper literature pocket such that the personal electronic device charges when positioned in the upper literature pocket.

41 . The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 35 , wherein the coil assembly is positioned within the passenger seat back adjacent to a lower literature pocket such that the personal electronic device charges when positioned in the lower literature pocket.

42 . An aircraft passenger seat assembly comprising:
a tray table comprising a cutout, an outer shroud, and tray table arms pivotally coupled to the aircraft passenger seat assembly; and an inductive wireless power unit comprising a coil assembly, wherein the coil assembly is positioned within the cutout of the tray table, wherein wires connecting the coil assembly to a power supply are hidden from view along at least one of the tray table arms.

43 . The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 42 , wherein the coil assembly is positioned such that a personal electronic device charges while in an acceptable viewing position.

44 . The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 42 , wherein a portion of the outer shroud covers the coil assembly and is integrally formed with a remainder of the outer shroud.

Assignees

• Safran Seats Usa Llc

Inventors

• Noske Mark E
• Parker C Michael

Classifications

• B60N3/004 Primary

  of foldable trays mounted on the back-rest · CPC title

• H02J50/12

  of the resonant type · CPC title

• H02J2105/32

  for aircrafts · CPC title

• H02J7/65

  against overtemperature · CPC title

• H02J7/61

  against overcharge · CPC title