Patent Publication Number: US-2011062285-A1

Title: System for simultaneously moving several rows of seats in a longitudinal direction

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of German Patent Application No. 10 2008 006 948.5 filed 31 Jan. 2008 and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/063,031 filed 31 Jan. 2008, the entire disclosure of which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to the seating configuration in aircraft. In particular, the invention relates to a system for simultaneously longitudinally moving several selected seats or seat rows in an aircraft, to a seating arrangement in an aircraft, to the use of such a system in an aircraft, and to an aircraft comprising such a system. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     An aircraft has a particular seating layout (seating configuration) that is to be considered as being fixed and that is divided into 1, 2 or 3 classes. 
     Only reconfiguration makes it possible to change this layout, for example in order to provide a greater number of seat in a particular class. The classes can differ by different types of seats or merely by their seat pitch. 
     If only half of the seats in a flight are booked, it is nevertheless not possible to offer passengers improved comfort in the form of more space. Fast adaptation of the percentage distribution in the classes depending on the number of passengers on board is not possible either. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an automatic, individually adjustable seating configuration in an aircraft. 
     Stated are a system for simultaneously longitudinally moving a plurality of selected seats or seat rows in an aircraft, a seating arrangement, the use of such a system in an aircraft, and an aircraft according to the characteristics of the independent claims. Further embodiments of the invention are stated in the subordinate claims. 
     The described exemplary embodiments equally apply to the system, the seating arrangement, the use, and the aircraft. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a system for simultaneously longitudinally moving a plurality of selected seats or seat rows in an aircraft is stated, wherein the system comprises a drive device for moving the seats, and wherein the system is designed for automatically moving the seats according to a change in the seating configuration planning. 
     In other words it is possible, for example, to undertake changes in the seating configuration planning from outside the aircraft. These changes are, for example, entered or initiated by a passenger. This seating configuration planning is then communicated to the system so that the seats can correspondingly be automatically moved. The system thus makes possible quick automatic moving of several seat rows (or individual seats), depending on requirements. With this system several seat rows can simultaneously increase or decrease their seat pitch relative to each other. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the system is designed as a mechanically coupled system. For example, all the seats or seat rows in question are mechanically coupled to the drive device, which subsequently moves all the seats simultaneously. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the drive device comprises a scissor-type mechanism with a single drive for all the seats. 
     This single drive is, for example, affixed at the front (when viewed in the direction of the aircraft) of the scissor-type mechanism. The individual seats or seat rows are affixed at the nodal point in the scissor-type mechanism. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the drive device is designed for simultaneously moving all the selected seats. 
     In this way the seat spacing can be changed quickly and effortlessly. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the system is designed for self-contained individual moving of the selected seats or seat rows. 
     Individually selected seats can thus be moved individually, for example depending on the personal desire of individual passengers during booking. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the drive device comprises a toothed rail that is fixed to the floor, and a drive motor for each seat row. 
     The drive motor in each seat row is, for example, coupled to a corresponding toothed wheel that engages the toothed rail or toothed rack. In this arrangement the toothed rail can be affixed to the passenger cabin floor or alternatively below the passenger cabin floor. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises a rotary speed sensor or a position sensor for each seat or for each seat row in order to determine the current longitudinal position of the corresponding seat or of the corresponding seat row. 
     In this way the system can detect the position of individual seats. Furthermore, each seat row can be individually controlled and moved. If necessary it is possible to carry out readjustments during the flight. For example, if a passenger would like to have more legroom available, a reconfiguration can be carried out. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the system comprises an electronic control device for controlling the drive device. 
     This control device can, for example, be operated by the flight crew. Furthermore, the control device can be supplied with control data from outside the aircraft. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the system comprises one or several separate seat rails for guiding the seats. Furthermore, a locking device for each seat is provided, which is used for locking or affixing the seat in the corresponding seat rail or seat rails. 
     In this way it can be ensured that no further seat movement can take place after the seat has been moved. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises an input unit for changing the seating configuration planning by a passenger, wherein the input unit can be arranged outside the aircraft and in this case is wirelessly coupled to the control device so that said input unit is able to communicate. 
     For example, at the time of booking, a passenger can enter how much legroom s/he wishes to have available. Prior to boarding, the seating adjustment is then carried out accordingly. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a seating arrangement in an aircraft is stated that comprises a plurality of aircraft seats. Furthermore, the seating arrangement comprises a system as described above for simultaneously longitudinally moving the seats or seat rows. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the use of a system as described above in an aircraft is stated. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, an aircraft comprising a system as described above is stated. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for simultaneously longitudinally moving a plurality of selected seats or seat rows in an aircraft is stated, in which a seating configuration is planned, and subsequently simultaneous moving of the seats takes place according to a change in the seating configuration planning. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, additionally, transmission of the planned seating configuration from an input unit to a control unit, automatic release of the affixation of the seats prior to moving, and automatic affixation of the seats after moving take place. 
     Below, preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the figures. 
    
    
     
       SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  shows a diagrammatic view of two possible seating configurations in an aircraft. 
         FIG. 2  shows a diagrammatic view of further possible seating configurations including a user interface. 
         FIG. 3  shows a diagrammatic view of a first drive device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a diagrammatic view of a second drive device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a diagrammatic view of further possible seating configurations according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The illustrations in the figures are diagrammatic and not to scale. 
     In the following description of the figures the same reference characters are used for identical or similar elements. 
       FIG. 1  shows a diagrammatic view of two seating configurations  101 ,  102  in an aircraft. In configuration  101  twelve seats  106  are provided in business class (BC)  103 . There is a 38 inch seat pitch (which equates to approximately 96.5 cm). 
     The dashed line  105  indicates the separation of business class  103  from YC class  104 . In the YC region  150  seats  107  are arranged with a 32 inch seat pitch (which equates to approximately 81 cm). 
     There are a total of 162 seats. 
     In configuration  102  all the seats are in YC class, in this case with a 28 inch seat pitch (which equates to approximately 71 cm). There are a total of 205 seats  107 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a diagrammatic view of further seating configurations, which according to the invention are prepared automatically. Seven seat rows  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204 ,  205 ,  206  and  207  are provided, each comprising two seats that are coupled together. 
     The outer seats of each seat row are connected to a drive device according to the invention, which can move the individual seat rows according to seating configuration planning. Furthermore, it is possible for other seats to be connected to the drive device, e.g. the inner seats and/or the middle seats. 
     In order to carry out seating configuration planning, the user interface  208  is provided, which is an input unit that is, for example, accessible by the flight crew. A similar input unit can also be provided in the check-in region in the airport, by way of which input unit each passenger can set the desired legroom. 
     After completion of seating configuration planning, the data is transmitted to a control unit, which controls the drive device according to the seating configuration to be achieved. 
     Such a control device  308  is, for example, shown in  FIG. 3 . The control device  308  can comprise an antenna  309  by way of which the control device  308  can receive data from the input unit  208  or from an external input unit. The control device  308  is, for example, connected to the drive unit by way of a cable connection  309 . 
     For example, during check-in, passengers can select their desired seat on the corresponding input unit by pressing a button. Furthermore, passengers can select the desired legroom. Prior to boarding, the system will then automatically implement the desired seating configuration. 
     For example, an existing 15 inch seat pitch (approximately 38 cm) between the front of the seat surface of the seat  207  and the rear of the seat  206  can be reduced to 0 inch, so that each one of seat rows  202  to  206  is given a seat pitch increase of 3 inches. Movement of the seat rows  202  to  206  is indicated by the arrow  209 . 
     This movement can take place either by means of a mechanically coupled system (e.g. scissor-type mechanism, i.e. all the rows move simultaneously) or by means of independently movable seat rows (e.g. toothed rack, drive motor and position sensors) that are controlled electronically. Depending on the concept, the system can be above floor level or below floor level (e.g. in the case of a double floor). 
     The seats comprise, for example, a high degree of autonomy, as a result of which the effectiveness of the system can be improved. This means that significant functions of the passenger service units, PSUs, are integrated in the seats. These are, for example, an oxygen supply or reading lights. Accordingly, the system interfaces are designed to be correspondingly flexible so that the seats can be moved. 
     In this way by increasing, just prior to departure, the seat pitch of the seat rows in use it is possible to provide greater passenger comfort. 
       FIG. 3  shows a diagrammatic view of an adjustment system with a drive device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The system of  FIG. 3  makes self-contained movement of the individual seat rows possible. To this effect a toothed rail or toothed rack  303  is provided. Each individual seat  301 ,  302  comprises a drive motor and a position sensor or rotary speed sensor. The motors and the sensors are electronically controlled, for example by way of a radio connection. The individual motors are coupled to the toothed wheels  304 ,  305 . The toothed wheels rotate on their axes  306 ,  307  and in so doing move the corresponding seat  301 ,  302  (or the entire seat row) forwards or backwards. Guiding and locking the seats takes place in separate seat rails (not shown). 
     As an alternative it is also possible to provide a worm gear drive. The advantage of a worm gear drive consists of its precise and reliable adjustment of the seats. 
       FIG. 4  shows a diagrammatic view of a system according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. This is a mechanically coupled system with a scissor-type mechanism comprising individual elements  404 ,  405 ,  406 ,  407 ,  408 ,  409 ,  410  and  411 . The elements  404 ,  405 ,  406 ,  407 ,  408  are coupled to each other by way of corresponding bearing arrangements in such a way that pulling or pushing the end points  412 ,  413  in the direction of the arrows  403  results in lengthening or shortening of the scissor-type mechanism. These elements  404  to  408  are connected to the carriers or rails  409 ,  410 ,  411  to which the seats are affixed. As a result of the shortening or lengthening of the scissor-type mechanism, movement of the seats in longitudinal direction  414  takes place. 
     A single drive  402  is provided that pulls apart, or pushes together, the ends  412 ,  413 . All the seat rows move concurrently. 
     Depending on the concept, the systems of  FIGS. 3 and 4  can be above or below floor level (e.g. double floor including system interface). 
       FIG. 5  shows a further diagrammatic view of two possible seat configurations  501 ,  502 . 
     In the first configuration  501 , in the BC region  503 , which has a 38 inch seat pitch, twelve seats are arranged. In the first YC region  504 , which has a 35 inch seat pitch, 36 seats are arranged. 
     In the second YC region  505 , which has a 32 inch seat pitch, 108 seats are arranged. There are a total of 156 seats. Separation of the three regions is indicated by the dashed lines  506 ,  507 . 
     Thus 36 seats with more legroom and thus with greater comfort are provided. In total there are six seats fewer than in the example 101 of  FIG. 1 . 
     Seat row  511 , which corresponds to seat row  207  in  FIG. 2 , is not used. 
     In configuration  502  also twelve seats are provided in BC class  509 , except with a 35 inch pitch. The seats of seat row  512  (which corresponds to seat row  207  in  FIG. 2 ) are not used. 
     Furthermore, 181 seats with a 28 inch seat pitch are provided in the YC region  510 . 
     The BC region  509  is above the dashed line  508 ; the YC region  510  is below the dashed line  508 . 
     In total there are twelve BC seats (or eighteen if there are middle seats). Overall, this exemplary embodiment comprises twelve seats fewer (or six seats fewer if there are middle seats) than is the case in the exemplary embodiment  102  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The invention provides advantages in particular in that small layout changes can be implemented quickly and automatically. Furthermore, greater passenger comfort is provided (possibly as a class upgrade) when the aircraft is only partly booked. 
     In addition, it should be pointed out that “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and “a” or “one” does not exclude a plural number. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that characteristics or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference characters in the claims are not to be interpreted as limitations.