Cushion for an aircraft seat, having integrated sensor electronics

Abstract

In a first aspect, provided is a cushion for an aircraft seat including at least one cushion having an upper side and a lower side of at least one plastic foam; at least one sensor system, where at least one sensor system is arranged in a region of the cushion adjacent the bottom surface of the cushion; and at least one flame retardant fabric covering at least one side of the at least one cushion. In a second aspect, provided is a cushion for an aircraft seat including at least one pad made of at least one plastic; at least one stabilizing means embedded in the at least one plastic; and at least one sensor system arranged on the at least one stabilizing means.

Claims

1. A cushion for an aircraft seat, comprising at least one pad having an upper side and a lower side made of at least one plastic foam; at least one sensor system, the at least one sensor system being arranged in a region of the pad adjacent to the lower side of the pad; at least one flame protection fabric covering at least one of the upper side and the lower side of the at least one pad; and at least one cover on the side of the at least one pad having the flame protection fabric, wherein a further sensor system is provided in the pad, on the pad, or on the flame protection fabric covered by the at least one cover.

2. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor system comprises sensors for pressure measurement and/or strain measurement.

3. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor system comprises a flexible substrate having at least one sensor disposed on the flexible substrate.

4. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor system is enclosed by the plastic foam of the cushion.

5. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the sensors of the at least one sensor system are arranged in the cushion in the buttocks area and/or along the thighs of a seated passenger.

6. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein at least a second sensor system is provided in the cushion.

7. The cushion of claim 6, wherein the at least one second sensor system is arranged in an area of the cushion adjacent to the upper side of the cushion.

8. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the cushion consists of several foam layers.

9. The cushion according to claim 8, wherein the at least one sensor system is arranged between two foam layers.

10. The cushion according to claim 1, further comprising at least one flame retardant fabric comprising: at least one barrier layer comprising at least one nonwoven fabric of at least one type of flame-resistant fiber, and at least one abrasion-resistant layer provided on the barrier layer comprising at least one textile material with high abrasion resistance made of at least one type of fiber.

11. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flame retardant fabric comprises at least one intumescent layer.

12. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cushion is made of a plastic foam comprising polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, polyether foam, polyester foam, or silicone foam, or of a plastic fabric comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyacrylate.

13. The cushion according to claim 1, further comprising at least one cover provided at least on the upper side of the flame retardant fabric.

14. An aircraft seat comprising at least one cushion according to claim 1.

15. A management system for monitoring the degree of wear and predictive maintenance as well as the passenger's seating behavior comprising: at least one sensor unit in one of the cushions according to claim 1; at least one processing unit for processing the data measured by the sensor unit; at least one storage unit for storing the measured and processed data, and at least one display unit for displaying the processed data.

16. A computer-implemented method for determining seat occupancy, monitoring the degree of wear and predictive maintenance, and passenger seating behavior, comprising the steps: measuring the change in at least one parameter selected from temperature, pressure and/or strain by the sensor unit disposed in the cushion according to claim 1, wherein the parameter change is exerted/caused by a passenger sitting on the seat cushion; processing the measured data in the at least one processing unit and storing the data in the at least one storage unit of the management system, and displaying the processed data on the at least one display unit.

17. A cushion for an aircraft seat, comprising: at least one pad having an upper side and a lower side made of at least one plastic foam; at least one sensor system, the at least one sensor system being arranged in a region of the pad adjacent to the lower side of the pad; and at least one flame protection fabric covering at least one side, preferably the upper side of the at least one pad, and at least one cover on the upper side of the flame protection fabric, wherein a further sensor system is provided in the at least one cover.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The solution is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures in the drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a cushion with integrated electronics according to a first embodiment,

(3) FIG. 2A shows a schematic view of a first sensor system integrated into a cushion;

(4) FIG. 2B shows a schematic view of a second sensor system integrated into a cushion;

(5) FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a management system for the use of a sensor system integrated in a cushion;

(6) FIG. 4A shows a schematic view of a cushion with integrated electronics according to a second embodiment;

(7) FIG. 4B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a support rail integrated into a cushion of FIG. 4A; and

(8) FIG. 5A shows a schematic view of a structure of a cushion with a sensor system;

(9) FIG. 5B shows a schematic view of a further structure of a cushion with a sensor system;

(10) FIG. 5C shows a schematic view of a setup of a cushion with two sensor systems;

(11) FIG. 5D shows a schematic view of another setup of a cushion with two sensor systems;

(12) FIG. 5E shows a schematic view of another setup of a cushion with two sensor systems;

(13) FIG. 5F shows a schematic view of a structure of a cushion with a cover with sensor systems;

(14) FIG. 5G shows a schematic view of a further structure of a cushion with a cover with sensor systems;

(15) FIG. 5H shows a schematic view of a further structure of a cushion with a cover with sensor systems; and

(16) FIG. 5I shows a schematic view of a further structure of a cushion with a cover with sensor systems.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(17) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a cushion 10 with integrated electronics for an aircraft seat. The top seat area of the cushion 11 is completely surrounded by a flame protection fabric 12. A protective cover or covering 13 is attached to the cushion including the flame retardant fabric by means of adhesive or loop tapes. The cover 13 extends over the entire upper side of the pad including the back of the knee area.

(18) A sensor system 20 is provided in the cushion 11. The sensor system 20 arranged in the cushion 11 comprises pressure and strain sensors which are foamed in within the cushion 11 in an area adjacent to the underside of the cushion 11. By placing the sensor system in the lower third of the pad 11, the sensor is optimally protected from environmental influences. It is also possible that a second sensor system is additionally provided in the upper area (in the upper third) of the pad (not shown).

(19) The flame protection fabric 12 consists of a barrier layer and an abrasion layer. The abrasion layer is provided on one side (here on the upper side) of the barrier layer.

(20) The barrier layer consists of a nonwoven made of 70% Pyrotex(bi-grade) fibers (acrylonitrile fibers), 15% para-aramid fibers(regenerated) and 15% preox PAN (polyacrylonitrile) fibers. The basis weight of the barrier layer in this case is 70 g/m.sup.2. The abrasion layer consists of a fabric made of 70% PAN (polyacrylonitrile) fibers and 30% para-aramid fibers. The basis weight of the abrasion layer is 130 g/m.sup.2.

(21) In addition to the barrier layer and abrasion layer, a third intumescent layer of exfoliated graphite can be provided in the flame retardant fabric, the exfoliated graphite starting to expand at 180° C. The exfoliated graphite layer is provided as an intermediate layer between the abrasion layer and the barrier layer. The exfoliated graphite layer is applied to the abrasion layer with a basis weight of 50 g/m.sup.2.

(22) It is also possible that the flame protection fabric and a foam part (or foam layer) made of various foams are glued or laminated together. In this case, the sensor electronics are provided between the pad and the foam layer (not shown).

(23) FIG. 2A shows the structure of a first sensor system 20 integrated in a cushion. This first sensor system (in the form of an RFID sensor unit) comprises eight sensors 21 in the form of polymer strain gauge sensors. The carrier material 22 is epoxy resin-based. The sensor system 20 detects the change in length (strain) during mechanical deformation of a component made of polymer composites. The resistance range and k-factor of the sensor are adjustable. The sensor system 20 is bonded to the pad 11.

(24) FIG. 2B shows the structure of a second variant of a sensor system 20, which can be integrated into a cushion.

(25) The sensor system shown in FIG. 2B comprises FSR pressure sensors (12 in total; shown in dark) and other sensors (6 in total). The FSR pressure sensors each comprise a silver electrode printed on a PET film or TPU film with insulator material and pressure sensitive material (printed FSR sensor ink) placed on it, so that when pressure is applied to the sensor, a switch is closed and the reduced resistance is measured (e.g. by an MCU connected to the sensor). The 6 other sensors are e.g. sensors that ensure that the sensor is only active (saving energy consumption) as soon as it is occupied, so that “occupied” or “not occupied” is displayed.

(26) FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a management system for using a sensor system integrated into a cushion. The management system comprises a sensor unit integrated into a cushion; a processing unit (PU) for processing the data measured by the sensor unit; a storage unit (SU) for storing the measured and processed data; and a display unit for displaying the processed data.

(27) The display unit can be provided on a mobile device such as a smartphone and/or tablet or on stationary e.g. in the backrest of an aircraft seat. Thus, the sensor system of the cushion may be connected to the passenger via a mobile app on the smartphone and/or tablet. The mobile app reads the data from the pressure array in the seat shell and can provide the passenger with recommendations for an optimal healthy seat.

(28) The data measured and processed by the sensor unit is transmitted wirelessly, e.g. via Bluetooth, to the at least one display.

(29) The processing unit can also be connected to the aircraft's network system via a network interface, and thus access possible databases in which, for example, passenger health data is stored.

(30) In the embodiment of the cushion with a pad 30 shown in FIG. 4A, a stabilizing means in the form of U-shaped support rails 31 is provided.

(31) The support rails 31 have a U-profile. The wall thickness of the support rails 31 is between 1.5 and 2 mm. The support rails 31 consist of carbon fibers or glass fibers. The fibers are embedded in a resin system, such as a phenolic resin or epoxy resin. The support rails can be profiled, for example, by compression molding of fiber wet laminates or by means of the sheet molded compound (SMC) process.

(32) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, three support rails 31 are shown parallel with a center-to-center spacing of 100 mm in a pad 30 (with a width of 450 mm). The support rails 31 have a U-profile or a trapezoidal profile. The depth of the U-profile or trapezoidal profile is in a range between 10 and 12 mm.

(33) The support rails 31 are either made of a flame-resistant material or are additionally provided with a flame-retardant material in the form of a flame-resistant fabric 32 made of temperature-stable fibers are plastic fibers based on polypropylene, polyacrylate or polyamides such as aramides or polybenzimidazole. For this purpose, the support rails 31 can be laminated with the flame-resistant fabric 32 (see FIG. 4B).

(34) A sensor system is provided on the support rails. The sensor unit described in FIG. 2 can be pressed, laminated or glued to the material of the support rails.

(35) FIGS. 5A-I show different variants of arrangement and combination of cushion with sensor system and cover.

(36) FIG. 5A shows a cushion or back cushion in an application with flame protection all around and a sensor provided in the lower third of the cushion. FIG. 5B shows a cushion or back cushion in an application without flame protection and a sensor provided in the lower third of the cushion. In another variant, it is also possible to apply the flame protection only on one side of the cushion, i.e. on the upper side or the lower side (not shown).

(37) FIG. 5C shows a cushion or back cushion for use with flame protection all around and 2 sensors, whereby a first sensor is provided in the lower third of the cushion and a second sensor is laminated onto the flame protection fabric. In the cushion of FIG. 5D, in contrast to the cushion of FIG. 5C, the second sensor is provided in the upper third of the cushion. FIG. 5E shows the cushion of FIG. 5D without flame protection fabric.

(38) FIG. 5F shows a cushion with a partial cover in which sensors are incorporated, and a foam layer is provided between the cushion (with or without sensors) and the cover. In the variant shown in FIG. 5G, the cover extends to the underside of the cushion,

(39) FIG. 5H shows a cushion with a partial cover in which sensors are incorporated and no foam layer is provided between the cushion (with or without sensors) and the cover. In the variant shown in FIG. 5I, the cover extends to the underside of the cushion.