Abstract:
An airplane seat includes a processing unit, adapted to operate actuators, and a memory unit in which at least one comfort position transition dataset for bringing about a comfort position transition between at least two comfort positions is memorized. The processing unit, in at least one operating mode, is adapted to operate the actuators in accordance with the comfort position transition dataset for bringing about the comfort position transition.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. national stage application of PCT/EP2007/000353 filed on Jan. 17, 2007, and claims priority to, and incorporates by reference, German Patent Application No. 10 2006 012 602.5 filed on Mar. 18, 2006. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates generally to seat devices, and particularly to an aircraft seat device. 
     A seat device which allows seat components to be moved within a so-called envelope curve is known. The seat device comprises a monitoring device which drives the seat components in such a manner that, on the one hand, a movement sequence situation which is obvious to a seat user is achieved for all seat components and, on the other hand, collision protection is nevertheless simultaneously ensured for all components. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention proposes a seat device, in particular an aircraft seat device, having a processing unit, which is provided for the purpose of operating actuators, and having a memory unit in which at least one data record concerning a comfort position transition for achieving a comfort position transition between at least two comfort positions is stored, wherein the processing unit is provided, in at least one operating mode, for the purpose of operating the actuators according to the data record concerning the comfort position transition in order to achieve the comfort position transition. In this case, a “comfort position” should be understood as meaning, in particular, a definitely predetermined position such as, in particular in the case of an aircraft seat device, one or more landing and starting positions, one or more resting or relaxation positions, one or more eating positions, one or more working positions etc. A “comfort position transition” should be understood as meaning, in particular, a definitely predetermined transition between two comfort positions, with the result that, in particular, seat component points or points on seat components follow definitely predetermined space curves during the transition between two comfort positions, wherein the space curves preferably result from at least partially simultaneous operation of actuators. A “processing unit” should be understood as meaning, in particular, a control and/or regulating unit having one or more processors and preferably one or more memory units, the processing unit also being able to comprise a plurality of decentralized subunits, for example processing units which are arranged in a decentralized manner. Furthermore, “provided” should be understood as meaning, in particular, specially equipped, designed and/or programmed. 
     A corresponding configuration according to the invention makes it possible, with a small amount of computation and power, to achieve a safe, comfort and collision-free movement sequence of seat components in order to achieve a transition between two comfort positions. Power-intensive processing units can be avoided and the power requirement can be reduced, in particular in the case of aircraft seats devices. 
     If in the memory unit at least two data records concerning the comfort position transition for at least two comfort positions are stored, a plurality of corresponding movement sequences, in particular between more than two comfort positions, can be advantageously achieved. In principle, however, it is also conceivable for two data records concerning the comfort position transition to be associated with a transition between two comfort positions and/or else for one data record concerning the comfort position transition to be associated with a plurality of transitions. 
     As an alternative or, in particular, in addition to data for achieving definitely predetermined space curves, the data record concerning the comfort position transition preferably has data relating to at least one adjustment speed, thus making it possible to achieve a high degree of flexibility and, in particular, a high degree of comfort, to be precise, in particular when the processing unit is provided for the purpose of operating at least one actuator on the basis of the data relating to the at least one adjustment speed in such a manner that a decreasing adjustment speed is established in a range before a comfort position, with the result that a harmonious transition can be achieved. 
     Another configuration of the invention proposes that the memory unit has data for driving at least one upholstery extension unit, and the processing unit is provided for the purpose of operating the upholstery extension unit. In this case, an upholstery extension unit should be understood as meaning, in particular, a unit which is provided for the purpose of increasing and/or reducing an extent of an upholstery unit in at least one direction. The upholstery extension unit is preferably formed, in particular at least partially, by a pump unit which can be used to pump air into or out of an upholstery unit. A corresponding configuration according to the invention makes it possible to advantageously superimpose an adjusting movement of an actuator and of the upholstery extension unit and to further enhance comfort. 
     In order to make it possible, in particular, for an end user, such as an aircraft passenger, to make an individual adaptation, the processing unit is provided for the purpose of storing at least one comfort position in the memory unit, and/or the memory unit stores at least one data record which defines a range in which individual adaptations are allowed, based on a comfort position and/or a position on a space curve, and/or the seat device has a means for deactivating the operating mode for operation on the basis of at least one data record concerning the comfort position transition. If an individual adaptation has been made by an end user within a predefined range and if a transition to a further comfort position is then intended to be carried out, the individual adaptation is preferably automatically restored first of all, with the result that the transition to the comfort position sought can be achieved again with a small amount of computation and without the risk of a collision. If the operating mode is deactivated, a further operating mode is preferably activated, for example an operating mode in which free adjustment within a so-called envelope curve is possible. 
     It is also proposed that the processing unit is provided for the purpose of adapting at least one comfort position transition in at least partially automated fashion on the basis of at least one parameter. If the parameter is used to detect a particular situation, such as, in particular, an emergency, the transition can be adapted to the situation in at least partially automated fashion, and preferably in fully automated fashion, and the transition can be carried out in a faster, slower and/or else more energy-saving manner than a particularly comfort transition. In this case, appropriate data are preferably stored in the memory unit. 
     If the seat device has a collision monitoring unit, collisions can be avoided in a particularly reliable manner, in particular whenever the operating mode for operation on the basis of at least one data record concerning the comfort position transition fails or is deactivated. In this case, all collision monitoring units which appear to be expedient to a person skilled in the art are conceivable in principle. However, the collision monitoring unit advantageously has a memory unit with data which are stored therein and describe at least one limit curve, and the collision monitoring unit is designed in a particularly advantageous manner in accordance with the collision monitoring unit described in the document WO 02/066325 A1. In this respect, reference is made to the entire description of the document WO 02/066325 A1 which should be expressly regarded as belonging to the disclosure. 
     The solution according to the invention is suitable, in principle, for all seat devices which appear to be appropriate to a person skilled in the art but is particularly advantageously suitable for aircraft seat devices which often have particularly numerous comfort positions and have to be adjusted in confined spaces and by operating particularly numerous actuators. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawing. The drawing illustrates one exemplary embodiment of the invention. The drawing, description and claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and will combine them to form expedient further combinations. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a diagrammatically illustrated aircraft seating area in the case of a first comfort position transition between two comfort positions with an aircraft seat device according to the invention, and 
         FIG. 2  shows the aircraft seating area in the case of a second comfort position transition between two comfort positions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a diagrammatically illustrated aircraft seating area in the case of a first comfort position transition  22  between a first comfort position  26 , which is formed by a starting/landing position, and a second comfort position  28  which is formed by a bed position.  FIG. 2  illustrates the aircraft seating area in the case of a second comfort position transition  24  between the first comfort position  26  and a further comfort position  30  which is formed by a resting position. In addition to the comfort positions  26 ,  28 ,  30  which are illustrated only by way of example, numerous further comfort positions and comfort position transitions are also conceivable. 
     The aircraft seating area is arranged, in the longitudinal direction of an aircraft, between a rear housing  64 , which is associated with said seating area, and a rear housing  66  which is associated with a seating area in front (not illustrated in any more detail). 
     The aircraft seating area has an aircraft seat device according to the invention having a processing unit  10  which is formed by a control and regulating unit and is provided for the purpose of operating actuators  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 . The actuator  12  is provided for the purpose of retracting and extending or for lengthening and shortening a seat component  58  which is formed by a leg rest, the actuator  14  is provided for the purpose of pivoting the seat component  58 , the actuator  16  is provided for the purpose of adjusting the depth of a seat component  60  formed by a seat base, and the actuator  18  is provided for the purpose of pivoting a seat component  62  formed by a backrest. 
     The aircraft seat device also has an electronic memory unit  20  which stores data records concerning a comfort position transition for achieving the comfort position transitions  22 ,  24  between the comfort positions  26 ,  28 ,  30 , the processing unit  10  being coupled to the memory unit  20  and to the actuators  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  and being provided, in an operating mode, for the purpose of operating or driving the actuators  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  according to the data records concerning the comfort position transition in order to achieve the comfort position transitions  22 ,  24 . 
     The data records concerning the comfort position transition have data for achieving predetermined space curves  32 - 44 . During the comfort position transitions  22 ,  24 , the actuators  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  are, in principle, driven at the same time, with the result that the seat components  58 ,  60 ,  62  respectively move, with their respective end points, on one of the space curves  32 - 44  sketched. In this case, the same space curves  32 - 44  are described irrespective of the direction of a transition. In principle, however, it would also be conceivable for at least partially different space curves to be described for a transition in one direction and a transition in an opposite direction. In addition, at least partially sequential operation of the actuators  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  would also be conceivable in principle. 
     The data record concerning the comfort position transition also comprises data relating to adjustment speeds v.  FIG. 1  illustrates a graph of the adjustment speed v of an end point of the seat component  58  against travel s on the space curve  32 . It can be seen in this case that, during the comfort position transition  22  from the comfort position  26  to the comfort position  28 , the processing unit  10  operates the actuators  12 ,  14  in such a manner that that end point of the seat component  58  which is remote from the seat component  60  is first of all moved at an increasing adjustment speed v and, before reaching an end position associated with the comfort position  28 , is moved at a decreasing adjustment speed v according to a function  68 . 
     The memory unit  20  also has data for driving an upholstery extension unit  46  which comprises an air pump, the processing unit  10  being coupled to the upholstery extension unit  46  and being provided for the purpose of operating the upholstery extension unit  46 ; to be precise, the upholstery extension unit  46  is driven at the same time as the actuators  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  in order to achieve a transition between an upholstery volume, which is associated with the comfort position  26 , and an upholstery volume which is associated with the comfort position  28 . 
     The memory unit  20  also stores data records which define ranges  50 ,  52  in which, prompted by an end user, such as, in particular, an aircraft passenger, individual adaptations are allowed. For example, the seat component  58  can be pivoted further downward within the range  52 , starting from the comfort position  28 , and the seat component  62  can be pivoted forward and backward within the range  50 , starting from the comfort position  26 , using an operating unit  70 . The processing unit  10  is provided for the purpose of storing comfort positions  48  in the memory unit  20 , with the result that, following an individual adjustment by an end user using the operating unit  70 , the individually adjusted position can be stored as a comfort position  48 , as indicated in  FIG. 1 . During a comfort position transition  22 ,  24 , an end user can stop the adjustment operation at any time and the intermediate position reached can also be stored as an individual comfort position. 
     The aircraft seat device also has a collision monitoring unit which is essentially formed by the processing unit  10  and the memory unit  20 , the memory unit  20  storing data which describe a limit curve  56  which forms an envelope curve. The seat components  58 ,  60 ,  62  cannot be moved out of the limit curve  56  with any part or can only be moved within the limit curve  56 . The collision monitoring unit is always active, with the result that, even in the case of a defective space curve  32 - 44 , it is always ensured that a collision is avoided during a comfort position transition  22 ,  24 . 
     The operating unit  70  also has a means  54  which is provided for the purpose of the activating the operating mode for operation on the basis of the data records concerning the comfort position transition. If the operating mode on the basis of the data records concerning the comfort position transition is deactivated, an operating mode in which an individual adjustment is possible within the limit curve  56  is automatically activated or an operating mode which corresponds to an operating mode described in WO 02/066325 A1 is activated, in which case reference may be made to the description of WO 02/066325 A1. 
     The processing unit  10  is also provided for the purpose of automatically adapting the comfort position transition  22  on the basis of a parameter which can be supplied to the processing unit  10  by means of a data line  72 . Appropriate data are stored in the memory unit  20  for this purpose. If a parameter which is associated with an emergency in which the fastest possible comfort position transition should be carried out is transmitted to the processing unit  10  in the comfort position  28 , higher adjustment speeds v are set using the processing unit  10 . The graph in  FIG. 1  illustrates an adjustment speed v of that end point of the seat component  58  which is remote from the seat component  60  against travel s on an adapted space curve  32 ′. It can be seen in this case that, during the adapted comfort position transition  22  from the comfort position  28  to the comfort position  26 , the processing unit  10  operates the actuators  12 ,  14  in such a manner that that end point of the seat component  58  which is remote from the seat component  60  is always moved at maximum speed following a starting phase in accordance with a function  68 ′.