English:
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of adjustable passenger seat control, and more particularly, to a magnetic encoder system for a seating actuator that utilizes geared encoders and angular relationships thereof to determine positions of adjustable seating surfaces.
[0003] One conventional system for providing positional feedback from a surface utilizes potentiometers associated with actuators that relay signals (i.e., angles) to a control computer. Known to those skilled in the art, potentiometers rely on physical contact to measure resistance changes as a mechanical finger traces a coil. The use of potentiometers, however, is undesirable in seating systems because position sensors that rely on physical contact are subject to physical failures due to oxidation, vibration, harmonics, electrical noise and wear.
[0004] To lessen the problems associated with physical contact sensors, magnetic encoder apparatus have been proposed for providing positional feedback. In such systems, a chip mounted on a circuit board can be used to measure the absolute angle of a rotating magnet, for example to determine reference positions of a motor. While the use of magnetic encoders is advantageous in that there is no physical contact, current systems employ single encoders which are capable of providing only 0-360-0 degree feedback. Thus, repetitive counting is not possible, for example, to determine if a measured part is on its 2ndor 8threvolution.
[0005] Accordingly, what is needed is a positional feedback system for adjustable seating surfaces that overcomes the disadvantages of physical contact position sensors, as well as a system capable of going over bounds without physical damage, i.e., an infinite system. Such systems would be particularly advantageous for use in aircraft seating applications in which measurable components undergo multiple revolutions to achieve the full range of motion of adjustable seating surfaces.
[0006] In one aspect, a non-contact, electronic positional feedback system is provided herein.
[0007] In another aspect, a boundless positional feedback system advantageous for use in adjustable passenger seat control applications is provided herein.
[0008] In yet another aspect, the positional feedback system is configured to count multiple revolutions of rotating components required to move a seating surface through its full range of motion.
[0009] In yet another aspect, the positional feedback system utilizes multiple uniquely geared encoders and angular relationships therebetween to know the position of adjustable seating surfaces, for example, for seat control.
[0010] To achieve the foregoing and other aspects and advantages, in one embodiment a magnetic encoder system for providing positional feedback from a surface is provided herein. The system includes first and second encoder gears that are intermeshed and have different numbers of gear teeth such that the first and second encoder gears rotate different angular amounts dependent on a gear tooth ratio, and first and second magnetic encoder chips sensing rotation of the first and second encoder gears and determining an angular relationship of the first and second encoder gears to determine a position of the surface.
[0011] The magnetic encoder system may be utilized with a housing and a shaft rotatably supported by the housing and coupled with a shaft gear meshed with at least one of the first and second encoder gears such that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the first and second encoder gears. The shaft may be actuator driven to drive the movement of a seating surface. The housing rotatably supports the first and second encoder gears in sensing proximity of the first and second magnetic encoder chips, and the first and second encoder gears include a magnet rotatably coupled therewith.
[0012] The first encoder gear may include a greater number of gear teeth than the second encoder gear such that rotation of the first encoder gear causes the second encoder gear to rotate a different angular amount than the first encoder gear.
[0013] The magnetic encoder system may further include a controller for storing positional information of the first and second encoder gears and seating surface positional information, among other functions.
[0014] The first encoder gear and the first magnetic encoder chip together form a first encoder, and the second encoder gear and the second magnet encoder chip together form a second encoder, wherein the second encoder is geared differently than the first encoder.
[0015] In another embodiment, a magnetic encoder system for providing positional feedback from an adjustable seating surface is provided herein including first and second intermeshed encoder gears having different numbers of gear teeth such that the gears rotate different angular amounts dependent on a gear tooth ratio, a magnet coupled in rotation with each of the first and second encoder gears, and first and second magnetic encoder chips sensing rotation of the magnet of each of the first and second encoder gears.
[0016] In a further embodiment, a method of sensing positional feedback from an adjustable seating surface is provided herein including the steps of: (i) providing a rotating shaft; (ii) providing a magnetic encoder system rotatably coupled to the rotating shaft and including first and second encoder gears that are meshed together that have different numbers of gear teeth such that the first and second encoder gears rotate different angular amounts dependent on a gear tooth ratio, and first and second magnetic encoder chips sensing rotation of the first and second encoder gears and an angular relationship of the first and second encoder gears; (iii) rotating the shaft; (iv) sensing rotation of the first encoder with respect to the first magnetic encoder chip and rotation of the second encoder gear with respect to the second magnetic encoder chip; and (v) determining the angular relationship between the first and second encoder gears to determine a position of the adjustable seating surface.
[0017] Additional features, aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present various embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a magnetic encoder system according to an embodiment of the invention shown associated with an output shaft of an adjustable passenger seat;
[0020] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the magnetic encoder system showing the electronics;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the gear side of the magnetic encoder system;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the gear side of the magnetic encoder system;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the electronics side of the magnetic encoder system;
[0024] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the electronics side of the magnetic encoder system;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the magnetic encoder system housing shown with the electronics and gears removed;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the meshed gears at a starting position;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the meshed gears at 1 full turn of the 10-toothed gear; and
[0028] FIG. 10 shows an arrangement of a magnetic encoder system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0029] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the representative embodiments set forth herein. The exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be both thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention and enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make, use and practice the invention. Like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the various drawings.
[0030] The magnetic encoder system described and shown herein is used to provide positional feedback information from a surface so that the position of the surface can be known. Such a system is particularly advantageous for use in aircraft seating applications including adjustable seating surfaces wherein movement is actuator driven and computer controlled. While the magnetic encoder system is described herein with reference to seating applications, it is not intended that the invention be limited only to such applications, as it is envisioned that this system can be used in any application that may benefit from a non-physical contact positional feedback system.
[0031] Referring to the figures, the embodiments of magnetic encoder systems for providing positional feedback from an adjustable surface generally include magnetic encoders that sense revolutions of intermeshed encoder gears to determine angular relationships between the gears. The angular relationships of the encoder gears correspond to positions of an adjustable surface, such that the position of the surface can be determined from the angular relationships. Positional information of the adjustable surface can be stored such that a seat controller can locate the positions of actuators driving movement of adjustable surfaces. Thus, the systems provided herein allow it to be immediately known where adjustable surfaces are positioned based on the angular relationship between the gears. The adjustable surfaces may be actuator driven seating surfaces such as adjustable seatbacks, seat pans, legrests, footrests, armrests and headrests, among others.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, a first embodiment of a magnetic encoder system is shown generally at reference numeral 20. The system 20 generally includes first and second encoder gears 22, 24 intermeshed and having different numbers of gear teeth 26 such that the first and second encoder gears rotate different angular amounts dependent on their gear tooth ratio. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the first and second encoder gears 22, 24 are meshed with a shaft gear 28 coupled to a rotating shaft 30, such that rotation of shaft 30 causes rotation of both the first and second encoder gears.
[0033] The magnetic encoder system 20 further includes a housing 32 rotatably supporting the shaft 30. As shown, the housing 32 rotatably supports the first and second encoder gears 22, 24 and the shaft gear 28 on one side of the housing. The first and second encoder gears 22, 24 rotate simultaneously upon rotation of the shaft 30. Each of the first and second encoder gears 22, 24 carries a magnet 34 thereon of the type capable of being sensed by magnetic encoder chips known to those skilled in the art. Each magnet 34 may, for example, be in the form of a diametric magnet mounted axially on its gear.
[0034] First and second magnetic encoder chips 36, 38 for sensing rotation of the first and second encoder gears 22, 24, respectively, are positioned in sensing proximity of the magnets 34 of the encoder gears. The magnetic encoder chips 36, 38 are operable for measuring the angle of the magnetic field passed therethrough to determine the amount of rotation of the magnets relative to the chips. The magnetic encoder chips 36, 38 may be a located on a seat control circuit board or another printed circuit board in communication with the seat controller.
[0035] The first and second encoder gears 22, 24 have different numbers of gear teeth 26 such that the first and second encoder gears rotate different angular amounts dependent on their gear tooth ratio. The first encoder gear 22 and the first magnetic encoder chip 36 together form a first encoder, and the second encoder gear 24 and the second magnet encoder chip 38 together form a second encoder, wherein the second encoder is geared differently than the first encoder. The system may include additional encoders, and may include multiple sets of encoders on the same seat for sensing the movements of the different adjustable seating surfaces.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 8-9, in one example, the first encoder gear 22 may have 10 gear teeth 26 and the second encoder gear 24 may have 9 gear teeth. In this example, the first and second encoder gears 22, 24 are meshed and have a gear tooth ratio when the gears rotate the second gear 24 rotates a greater angular amount than the first gear 22.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 10, in a second embodiment the rotating shaft 30 drives the rotation of the second encoder gear 24 through the first encoder gear 22. Thus, the second encoder gear 24 is not directly meshed with the rotating shaft 30. The rotating shaft 30 may be driven, for example, by an actuator for driving the movement of a seating surface through its range of motion. The first and second magnetic encoder chips 36, 38 are positioned in alignment with their respective encoder gear for sensing rotations, such as axially aligned therewith as shown.
[0039] In a further embodiment, a method of sensing positional feedback from an adjustable seating surface of an aircraft passenger seat is provided herein. The method includes the steps of: (i) providing a rotating shaft, such as a shaft of an actuator driving movement of an adjustable seating surface; (ii) providing a magnetic encoder system rotatively coupled to the rotating shaft and including first and second encoder gears that are intermeshed and have different numbers of gear teeth such that the first and second encoder gears rotate different angular amounts dependent on a gear tooth ratio, and first and second magnetic encoder chips sensing rotation of the first and second encoder gears and an angular relationship of the first and second encoder gears; (iii) rotating the shaft; (iv) sensing rotation of the first and second encoder gears using the first and second magnetic encoder chips; and (v) determining the angular relationship of the first and second gears to determine the position of the adjustable seating surface.
[0040] The foregoing description provides embodiments of the invention by way of example only. It is envisioned that other embodiments may perform similar functions and/or achieve similar results. Any and all such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

中文:
[0001]本发明总体上涉及可调整乘客座位控制的领域,并且更具体地说,涉及一种用于座位致动器的磁性编码器系统,该座位致动器利用齿轮编码器和其角关系确定可调整乘客座位表面的位置。
[0003]用来提供来自表面的位置反馈的一种常规系统利用与致动器相关联的电位计,这些电位计将信号(即角度)中转到控制计算机。对于本领域的技术人员已知的是,电位计依靠物理接触来测量随着机械指状物追踪线圈的电阻变化。然而,电位计的使用在座位系统中是不希望的,因为依靠物理接触的位置传感器由于氧化、振动、谐波、电气噪声及磨损经受物理失效。
[0004]为了减少与物理接触传感器相关联的问题,已经提出用来提供位置反馈的磁性编码器设备。在这样的系统中,在电路板上安装的芯片可用来测量转动磁铁的绝对角度,例如以便确定电机的基准位置。尽管磁性编码器的使用因为没有物理接触是有利的,但当前系统采用单一编码器,这些单一编码器能够只提供0-360-0度反馈。因而,重复计数是不可能的,例如,为了确定测量部分是在其第2转还是在第8转上。
[0005]相应地,需要的是一种用于可调整座位表面的位置反馈系统以及一种能够越过约束而没有物理损坏的系统,即一种无限系统,所述位置反馈系统克服物理接触位置传感器的缺点。这样的系统对于在飞机座位用途中的使用将是特别有利,在这些飞机座位用途中,可测量部件经历多转,以达到可调整座位表面的整个运动范围。
[0006]在一个方面,这里提供一种非接触式电子位置反馈系统。
[0007]在另一个方面,这里提供一种无约束位置反馈系统,这种无约束位置反馈系统对于在可调整乘客座椅控制用途中的使用是有利的。
[0008]在又一个方面,将位置反馈系统构造成对用于将座位表面运动通过其整个运动范围而所需的转动部件的多转计数。
[0009]在再一个方面,位置反馈系统利用多个独特齿轮编码器和在它们之间的角关系来知道可调整座位表面的位置,例如以便座椅控制。
[0010]为了实现以上和其它方面和优点,在一个实施例中,这里提供一种磁性编码器系统,这种磁性编码器系统用来提供来自表面的位置反馈。系统包括:第一和第二编码器齿轮,该第一和第二编码器齿轮相互啮合,并且具有不同的齿轮齿数,从而第一和第二编码器齿轮根据齿轮齿数比转动不同的角度量;和第一和第二磁性编码器芯片,该第一和第二磁性编码器芯片检测第一和第二编码器齿轮的转动,并且确定第一和第二编码器齿轮的角关系,以确定表面的位置。
[0011]磁性编码器系统可以与壳体和轴一起使用,该轴由壳体可转动地支撑并且与轴齿轮相联接,该轴齿轮与第一和第二编码器齿轮的至少一个相啮合,从而轴的转动引起第一和第二编码器齿轮的转动。轴可以是致动器驱动的,以驱动座位表面的运动。壳体将第一和第二编码器齿轮可转动地支撑在第一和第二磁性编码器芯片的附近以便检测,并且第一和第二编码器齿轮包括与其可转动联接的磁铁。
[0012]第一编码器齿轮可以包括比第二编码器齿轮大的齿轮齿数,从而第一编码器齿轮的转动使第二编码器齿轮以与第一编码器齿轮不同的角度量转动。
[0013]磁性编码器系统还可以包括控制器,该控制器除了其它功能外,用来存储第一和第二编码器齿轮的位置信息和座位表面位置信息。
[0014]第一编码器齿轮和第一磁性编码器芯片一起形成第一编码器,并且第二编码器齿轮和第二磁性编码器芯片一起形成第二编码器,其中,第二编码器与第一编码器不同地传动。
[0015]在另一个实施例中,这里提供一种磁性编码器系统,这种磁性编码器系统用来提供来自可调整座位表面的位置反馈,这种磁性编码器系统包括:相互啮合的第一和第二编码器齿轮,该第一和第二编码器齿轮具有不同的齿轮齿数,从而齿轮根据齿轮齿数比转动不同的角度量;磁铁,该磁铁与第一和第二编码器齿轮的每一个相转动联接;以及第一和第二磁性编码器芯片,该第一和第二磁性编码器芯片检测第一和第二编码器齿轮的每一个的磁铁的转动。
[0016]在进一步实施例中,这里提供一种检测来自可调整座位表面的位置反馈的方法,这种方法包括如下步骤:(i)提供转动轴;(ii)提供磁性编码器系统,该磁性编码器系统可转动地联接到转动轴上,并且包括第一和第二编码器齿轮以及第一和第二磁性编码器芯片,该第一和第二编码器齿轮啮合在一起,并且具有不同的齿轮齿数,从而第一和第二编码器齿轮根据齿轮齿数比转动不同的角度量,该第一和第二磁性编码器芯片检测第一和第二编码器齿轮的转动以及第一和第二编码器齿轮的角关系;(iii)使轴转动;(iv)检测第一编码器相对于第一磁性编码器芯片的转动以及第二编码器齿轮相对于第二磁性编码器芯片的转动;以及(v)确定在第一和第二编码器齿轮之间的角关系,以确定可调整座位表面的位置。
[0017]本发明的另外特征、方面及优点将在随后的详细描述中叙述,并且部分地对于本领域的技术人员由该描述将是显而易见的,或者通过实践这里所描述的本发明而意识到。要理解,以上一般描述和如下详细描述都呈现本发明的各个实施例,并且打算提供用来理解如被要求保护的本发明的性质和特性的概述或框架。附图被包括以提供本发明的进一步理解,并且被并入且构成本说明书的一部分。
[0019]图1是根据本发明实施例的磁性编码器系统的立体图,该磁性编码器系统表示成与可调整乘客座椅的输出轴相关联;
[0020]图2是磁性编码器系统的另一个立体图,示出了电子装置;
[0021]图3是磁性编码器系统的齿轮侧的平面图;
[0022]图4是磁性编码器系统的齿轮侧的立体图;
[0023]图5是磁性编码器系统的电子装置侧的平面图;
[0024]图6是磁性编码器系统的电子装置侧的分解立体图;
[0025]图7是磁性编码器系统壳体的立体图,该磁性编码器系统壳体在电子装置和齿轮除去的情况下示出;
[0026]图8是示意图,示出了在开始位置处的啮合齿轮的位置;
[0027]图9是示意图,示出了在10齿齿轮的一个完整转处啮合齿轮的位置;以及
[0028]图10示出了按照本发明实施例的磁性编码器系统的布置。
[0029]现在将在下面参照附图更充分地描述本发明,在这些附图中,示出了本发明的示例性实施例。然而,本发明可以按多种不同形式实施,并且不应该解释成限于这里叙述的代表性实施例。提供示例性实施例,从而本公开将是彻底的和完全的,并且将充分地传达本发明的范围,并使本领域的技术人员能够形成、使用及实践本发明。类似附图标记贯穿各个附图指示类似元素。
[0030]这里描述和表示的磁性编码器系统用来提供来自表面的位置反馈信息,从而表面的位置可以是已知的。这样一种系统对于在飞机座位用途中的使用特别有利,这些飞机座位用途包括可调整座位表面,其中,运动是致动器驱动的和计算机控制的。尽管这里参照座位用途描述磁性编码器系统,但不打算将本发明只限于这样的用途,因为想到的是,这种系统可用在能从非物理接触位置反馈系统获益的任何用途中。
[0031]参照附图,用来提供来自可调整表面的位置反馈的磁性编码器系统的实施例通常包括磁性编码器,这些磁性编码器检测相互啮合的编码器齿轮的转数,以确定在齿轮之间的角关系。编码器齿轮的角关系与可调整表面的位置相对应,从而由角关系可确定表面的位置。可调整表面的位置信息可被存储,从而座椅控制器可定位可调整表面的致动器驱动运动的位置。因而,这里提供的系统允许它基于齿轮之间的角关系而立即知道可调整表面位于何处。可调整表面可以是致动器驱动的座位表面,尤其如可调整靠背、座椅底盘、搁腿架、搁脚板、扶手及头枕。
[0032]参照图1-7,磁性编码器系统的第一实施例总体上以附图标记20表示。系统20通常包括第一和第二编码器齿轮22、24,该第一和第二编码器齿轮22、24相互啮合,并且具有不同数量的齿轮齿26,从而第一和第二编码器齿轮根据它们的齿轮齿数比转动不同的角度量。如图1-2所示,第一和第二编码器齿轮22、24与轴齿轮28相啮合,该轴齿轮28联接到转动轴30,从而轴30的转动引起第一和第二编码器齿轮两者的转动。
[0033]磁性编码器系统20还包括壳体32,该壳体32可转动地支撑轴30。如表示的那样,壳体32将第一和第二编码器齿轮22、24和轴齿轮28可转动地支撑在壳体的一侧上。第一和第二编码器齿轮22、24在轴30转动时同时转动。第一和第二编码器齿轮22、24的每一个在其上携带磁铁34,该磁铁34为能够由磁性编码器芯片检测的类型,这些磁性编码器芯片对于本领域的技术人员是已知的。每个磁铁34可以例如呈径向磁铁的形式,该径向磁铁沿轴向安装在其齿轮上。
[0034]分别用来检测第一和第二编码器齿轮22、24的转动的第一和第二磁性编码器芯片36、38位于编码器齿轮的磁铁34的附近以便检测。磁性编码器芯片36、38是可操作的,以用来测量通过的磁场的角度,以便确定磁铁相对于芯片的转动量。磁性编码器芯片36、38可以布置在与座椅控制器通信的座椅控制电路板或另一块印刷电路板上。
[0035]第一和第二编码器齿轮22、24具有不同数量的齿轮齿26,从而第一和第二编码器齿轮根据它们的齿轮齿数比转动不同的角度量。第一编码器齿轮22和第一磁性编码器芯片36一起形成第一编码器,并且第二编码器齿轮24和第二磁性编码器芯片38一起形成第二编码器,其中,第二编码器与第一编码器不同地齿轮传动。该系统可以包括另外的编码器,并且可以在同一座椅上包括多组编码器,用来检测不同的可调整座位表面的运动。
[0036]参照图8-9,在一个例子中,第一编码器齿轮22可以具有10个齿轮齿26,并且第二编码器齿轮24可以具有9个齿轮齿。在这个例子中,第一和第二编码器齿轮22、24啮合,并且具有如下齿轮齿数比:当齿轮转动时,第二齿轮24比第一齿轮22转动大的角度量。
[0038]参照图10,在第二实施例中,转动轴30通过第一编码器齿轮22驱动第二编码器齿轮24的转动。因而,第二编码器齿轮24不直接与转动轴30相啮合。转动轴30可以例如由致动器驱动,该致动器用来驱动座位表面运动通过其运动范围。第一和第二磁性编码器芯片36、38定位成与它们的相应编码器齿轮对准(如与其轴向对准,如表示的那样),以便检测。
[0039]在进一步实施例中,这里提供一种检测来自飞机乘客座椅的可调整座位表面的位置反馈的方法。方法包括如下步骤:(i)提供转动轴,如驱动可调整座位表面的运动的致动器的轴;(ii)提供磁性编码器系统,该磁性编码器系统可转动地联接到转动轴,并且包括第一和第二编码器齿轮以及第一和第二磁性编码器芯片,该第一和第二编码器齿轮相互啮合,并且具有不同的齿轮齿数,从而第一和第二编码器齿轮根据齿轮齿数比转动不同的角度量,该第一和第二磁性编码器芯片检测第一和第二编码器齿轮的转动以及第一和第二编码器齿轮的角关系;(iii)使轴转动;(iv)使用第一和第二磁性编码器芯片检测第一和第二编码器齿轮转动;以及(v)确定第一和第二齿轮的角关系,以确定可调整座位表面的位置。
[0040]以上描述仅作为例子提供本发明的实施例。想的是,其它实施例可以完成类似功能,并且/或者实现类似结果。任何和全部这样的等效实施例和例子都在本发明的精神和范围内,并且旨在由所附权利要求书覆盖。