Patent Publication Number: US-2012038587-A1

Title: Touch responsive privacy partition

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of privacy partitions for passenger seats, and more particularly, to a privacy partition disposed between adjacent passenger seats having touch-responsive functionality embedded within the partition screen for selectively switching between opaque and transparent optical states of the screen. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Passenger conveyances such as aircraft commonly utilize dividing partitions positioned between adjacent seats to provide privacy therebetween and define passenger living spaces. Conventional partition types most commonly include permanently optically opaque structures that may or may not be moveable between in-use and stowed positions. While permanently positioned structures are advantageous in that they include simple construction without the need for moving parts, thus achieving cost and weight savings, they are disadvantageous in that they cannot be moved out of the way when line of sight between seats is desired. In contrast, while moveable partitions provide selective blocking and non-blocking functionality, their construction typically comes with increased weight and complexity in the assemblies required to physically move the partition between in-use and stowed positions. In addition, moveable partitions further require dedicated storage space and thus reduce the amount of living or compartment space available to the seat occupant. 
     Accordingly, what is desired is a passenger seat partition that provides the functionality of a moveable partition with the structural simplicity and weight savings of a permanent partition. In this regard, a partition is provided herein having touch-responsive functionality embedded within the partition screen for selectively switching between opaque and transparent optical states of the partition screen, obviating the need for moving the partition between in-use and stowed positions to block or allow line of sight between seats. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, a privacy partition for an aircraft passenger seat is provided herein. 
     In another aspect, the privacy partition includes a screen that is selectively switchable between opaque and transparent optical states. 
     In another aspect, the privacy partition screen is activated in the presence of an electrical field. 
     In another aspect, the privacy partition includes a touch-responsive switch carried on or embedded within the optically switchable portion of the partition. 
     In yet another aspect, the partition includes a frame surrounding the periphery of the electrically activated screen. 
     In yet another aspect, the partition is positioned between adjacent passenger seats. 
     In yet another aspect, the partition is positioned between adjacent passenger seats and about parallel to their respective armrests. 
     In yet another aspect, the partition is supported upon a shared console positioned between adjacent passenger seats. 
     To achieve the foregoing and other aspects and advantages, in one embodiment the present invention provides an aircraft passenger seat privacy partition including a screen selectively switchable between an opaque optical state and a substantially transparent optical state in response to a change in voltage applied to the screen, a touch-responsive switch embedded in the screen for detecting a change in capacitance in the screen and applying the voltage change to the screen to selectively switch between the opaque and substantially transparent optical states and a support member for supporting the screen between adjacent passenger seats. 
     In a further embodiment, the screen includes suspended particles placed between two plastic or glass layers, and wherein in the absence of voltage applied to the screen the suspended particles are arranged in random orientations and absorb or scatter light to achieve the opaque optical state, and wherein when voltage is applied to the screen the suspended particles align to let light pass therethrough to achieve the transparent optical state. In a further embodiment, the substantially transparent optical state is maintained by applying a relatively small, constant voltage to the screen. 
     In a further embodiment, the screen is surrounding by a protective frame surrounding the periphery of the screen an the frame is supported upon a center console shared by adjacent passenger seats. In a further embodiment, the screen includes indicia thereon indicating the location of the embedded touch-responsive switch, and in an alternative embodiment, substantially the entirety of the screen is the touch-responsive switch accessible on either side of the screen. 
     In a further embodiment, an aircraft seating unit is provided including first and second passenger seats positioned adjacent one another and interconnected through a shared center console, and a privacy partition supported by the center console, the privacy partition comprising a screen selectively switchable between an opaque optical state and a substantially transparent optical state in response to a change in voltage applied to the screen, and a touch-responsive switch embedded in the screen for detecting a change in capacitance in the screen and applying the voltage change to the screen to selectively switch between the opaque and substantially transparent optical states. 
     Additional features 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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are better understood when the following detailed description of the invention is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary aircraft seating arrangement showing a privacy partition in accordance with the present invention positioned between adjacent passenger seats; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view of the privacy partition of  FIG. 1  shown in an opaque optical state; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a perspective view of the privacy partition of  FIG. 1  shown being activated by an embedded touch-responsive switch to achieve a transparent optical state; 
         FIG. 2   c  is a perspective view of the privacy partition of  FIG. 1  shown being activated by an embedded touch-responsive switch to achieve an opaque optical state; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a schematic diagram illustrating the misalignment of suspended particles of the partition in the opaque optical state corresponding with  FIG. 2   a;    
         FIG. 3   b  is a schematic diagram illustrating the alignment of suspended particles of the partition in the transparent optical state corresponding with  FIG. 2   b ; and 
         FIG. 3   c  is a schematic diagram illustrating the misalignment of suspended particles of the partition in the opaque optical state corresponding with  FIG. 3   c ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a wiring diagram for the touch-responsive functionality of the partition. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     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. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary aircraft passenger seating arrangement is shown generally at reference numeral  10 . As shown, the seating arrangement  10  includes a plurality of spaced-apart rows of seating units  12 , with each seating unit  12  including a first seat  14  and a second seat  16  positioned in a side-by-side relationship and separated by a shared console  18 . Each seating unit  12  further includes dedicated armrests  19  and seat frames for supporting seatbacks, seat bottoms, leg rests, storage compartments, etc. as known to those skilled in the art. Although a particular seating arrangement  10  and seating unit  12  is shown, it is envisioned that alternative seating arrangements and seating units including at least alternative numbers of rows, seats within a row, seat orientations and angular relationships between individual seats may be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Privacy partition  20  is positioned between each pair of adjacent seats  14  and  16 , thus physically and optically dividing the living spaces defined by each of seat  14  and  16 . As shown, partition  20  is fixed in its position and is supported from beneath by at least shared console  18 . In alternative embodiments, partition  20  may be supported by or carried on alternative structures including, but not limited to, armrests, seat frames, seat bottoms, seat backs, aircraft floors or any other structure. Although shown as having a generally triangular shape, partition  20  may have any alternative shape, and the shape may be dependent upon its place of application within the aircraft cabin and the area desired to be blocked by partition  20 . Partitions  20  of the end seating units  12  are shown in their transparent optical states, allowing a seat occupant viewing therethrough, while partition  20  disposed in intermediate seating unit  12  is shown in its opaque optical state, blocking viewing therethrough. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2   a , partition  20  generally includes an electrically activated screen  22  framed by protective frame  24 . Frame  24  functions to protect the edges of screen  22  and optionally may house and maintain associated screen wiring. Frame  24  may be constructed from plastic, glass or like material and may include fire retardant additives, coatings, etc. Frame  24  may be optically transparent or opaque. As shown in  FIG. 1 , partition  20  is supported from beneath through frame  22  by partition supporting member  26 . It is envisioned that alternative shaped and positioned partition supporting members may be practiced depending upon the desired positioning of partition  20  and the existing structure to be supported therefrom. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2   a - 2   c , various optical states of partition  20  are shown, and the indicia “Opaque” and “Transparent” shown in the figures are for illustrative purposes only, while the indicia “On/Off” shown in the figures to represent a soft button may or may not be provided on the screen to display the control functionality to the seat occupant. Referring specifically to  FIG. 2   a , partition  20  is shown in an opaque optical state wherein viewing therethrough is blocked. The degree of opaqueness of screen  22  may range from translucent to fully opaque to provide an effective partition. Touch-responsive “On/Off” control functionality by way of contact with the glass may be provided at a single dedicated location  28  on screen  22  or may encompass the entirety of screen  22 . Although described in greater detail below, the control functionality of screen  22  is preferably carried on or embedded within screen  22  of partition  20 . Referring specifically to  FIG. 2   b , selective switching between the opaque optical state of  FIG. 2   a  and the transparent optical state of  FIG. 2   b  is achieved by actuating the control functionality of screen  22 , such as through dedicated location  28 , which is described in greater detail below. Referring specifically to  FIG. 2   c , switching between the transparent optical state shown in  FIG. 2   b  and the opaque optical state shown in  FIG. 2   c  may be achieved by actuating any portion of screen  22  by touch-response. Actuation of screen  22  may be achieved by contacting either side of screen  22  such that either the left-side or right-side seated occupant may control the partition. 
     Screen  22  may be constructed from smart glass, switchable glass or other electrochromic materials or suspended particle materials including electrically switchable material or glazing that changes light transmission properties when voltage is applied. Screen  22  changes from a transparent optical state to an opaque or translucent state when screen  22  is contacted to apply/remove the voltage thereto through a change in capacitance caused by the contact with screen  22 . Suitable material types typically require a burst of electricity to change opacity, and may or may not require a small voltage to maintain particle alignment and a transparent optical state. In an alternative embodiment, electrochromic materials pertaining to transition-metal hydride electrochromics can be used to provide reflective hydrides that are reflective rather than absorbing, thus switch optical states between transparent and mirror-like. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c , schematic diagrams illustrating the alignment of suspended particle materials of screen  22  corresponding to  FIGS. 2   a - 2   c  are shown. Referring specifically to  FIG. 3   a , screen  22  includes suspended particles  30 , such as a thin film laminate of rod-like particles suspended in a fluid and placed between two glass or plastic layers  32 , or alternatively attached to one layer. In the absence of voltage to screen  22 , the suspended particles  30  are arranged in random orientations and absorb or scatter light  34  so that screen  22  appears opaque. Referring to  FIG. 3   b , when voltage is applied by contacting screen  22 , such as at location  28 , suspended particles  30  align to let light  34  pass therethrough and achieve a transparent optical state. As stated above, maintaining the transparent optical state may require applying a small, constant voltage depending upon material type. Referring specifically to  FIG. 3   c , screen  22  is actuated to remove the voltage and return to the opaque optical state. 
     Screen  22  is operable such that a passenger actuating touch-responsive area  28 , or the entirety of screen  22 , causes screen  22  to switch between transparent and opaque optical states. In a specific embodiment, a seat occupant may place screen  22  into a default optical state, such as opaque, overriding the control of the adjacently seated passenger. Override control may be provided through a designated touch-responsive area on screen  22  or through a hard control positioned apart from screen  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , control and operation of screen  22  achieved by way of a control circuit, such as electrical circuit  40 . Circuit  40  includes power supply  42  for providing a predetermined voltage, for example between about 7-12 volts. Power supply  42  may include a dedicated source or shared source. In an exemplary embodiment, circuit  40  includes the following: R 1 : 1 M ohm resistor; R 2 : 1 k ohm resistor; R 3 : 100 k ohm resistor; R 4 : 1 k ohm resistor; C 1 , C 3 : 220 nF Capacitor; C 2 : 10 uF Electrolytic Capacitor, 50V; D 1 : Rectifier, 1 A 400V; U 1 : Power Converter such as one available from NXP Semiconductors; S 1 : Single Pole Single Throw Switch; S 2 : Single Pole Single Throw Switch; F 1 : Fuse, 3 A; RL 1 : Single Pole Double Throw Relay; and T 1 : Inverter, 12 VDC/120 VAC 400 Hz. Touching screen  22  causes a localized change of capacitance at the touch location that is detected by circuit  40 , thereby prompting an optical state change through the closing/opening of the switch causing the application/removal of the predetermined voltage. 
     It is envisioned that each partition  20  may be individually controlled or the plurality of partitions  20  may be interconnected such that a single control may be operable for setting the plurality of partitions to a default or common optical state, such as a transparent state that may be required during TTOL. Thus, the flight crew may be able to commonly control partition functionality, and this control may override the independent control at the seat. 
     While an improved privacy partition has been described with reference to specific embodiments and examples, it is intended that various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.