Patent Description:
Economy class seating for passenger aircraft may include a recline cable routed from the armrest to a recline lock cylinder. When pulled, the recline cable may move for a given length, or throw. By pulling the recline cable, the recline lock cylinder may become unlocked allowing for an angle of the seatback of the passenger seat to be adjusted. Due to the movement of the recline cable, the recline cable is constrained by a bend radius. When the bend radius of the recline cable falls below a select radius, the recline cable may become difficult to pull. The cable may also stretch or elongate due to deformation over time. Due to such cable stretch, the recline cable may require additional throw to unlock the recline lock actuator. Thus, the bend radius and the cable stretch of the recline cable may be a limiting factor in the configuration of the passenger seat. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a device, system, and method that cures the shortcomings described above. Recline mechanisms are disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT>.

A recline mechanism is provided as defined by claim <NUM>.

A passenger seat is also provided as defined by claim <NUM>.

Implementations of the concepts disclosed herein may be better understood when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. In the drawings:.

The appearances of the phrase "in some embodiments" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, and embodiments may include one or more of the features expressly described or inherently present herein, insofar as they fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to a recline mechanism including a button, an actuator, and a piston and cylinder assembly. The button is configured to harvest energy from a mechanical button press and transmit an electrical signal to an actuator, such as a solenoid. The solenoid unlocks the piston and cylinder assembly in response to receiving the electrical signal. Upon release of the button, the button generates additional energy causing the solenoid to lock the piston and cylinder assembly. By harvesting the energy, the button provides functionality for unlocking the piston and cylinder assembly without a mechanical pull cable. The button also provides the unlock and lock functionality without connecting the button to line power. Thus, the button may allow for a reduced width of the armrest and further allow for armrest designs with cable routing schemes which would otherwise include a bend radius too tight for the mechanical cable pull.

An aircraft passenger seat is described in <CIT>, titled "PIVOTING CABLE ACTUATING MECHANISM".

Referring now to <FIG>, an example embodiment of an aircraft <NUM> that includes a plurality of passenger seats <NUM> is described, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Each passenger seat <NUM> includes a seatback <NUM> and a seat pan <NUM>. The passenger seat <NUM> also includes a spreader <NUM> (also referred to as a seat support structure, a seat chassis, and the like) that is coupled to a floor (e.g., by a track) for providing structural support to the seat pan <NUM> and the seatback <NUM>. In embodiments, the seatback <NUM> and the seat pan <NUM> may be separate structures and/or may include one or more shared components. For example, the seatback <NUM> and the seat pan <NUM> can have a shared cushion or covering. The seatback <NUM> may also be configured to move relative to the seat pan <NUM>. For example, the seatback <NUM> can be configured to transition between upright and reclining positions. In embodiments, the seat pan <NUM> can also be actuated such that the passenger seat <NUM> may be configurable between an upright position and a bed position, although this is not intended to be a limitation of the present disclosure. The passenger seat <NUM> may also include one or more armrests <NUM>. The armrests <NUM> may be pivotally mounted to the spreader <NUM> by a pivot joint <NUM>, or may be pivotally mounted to another component of the passenger seat <NUM>.

In embodiments, the passenger seat <NUM> includes a recline mechanism, by which the passenger seat <NUM> may be adjusted between an upright position and a recline position. The recline mechanism may include a button <NUM>, a cable <NUM>, a cylinder and piston assembly <NUM>, and an actuator, such as a solenoid <NUM>. The button <NUM> may be coupled to the armrest <NUM>. The button <NUM> may be electrically coupled to the solenoid <NUM> by the cable <NUM>. For example, the cable <NUM> may be routed through the armrest <NUM> and coupled to the button <NUM> and the solenoid <NUM>. The solenoid <NUM> may be coupled to the cylinder and piston assembly <NUM> for opening and closing a valve of the cylinder and piston assembly <NUM>, thereby unlocking and locking the cylinder and piston assembly. In embodiments, the armrest <NUM> defines a hole disposed in an interior side of the armrest <NUM>, the hole suitable for receiving the button <NUM>. The armrest <NUM> may also define a channel disposed within and along the armrest <NUM> by which the cable <NUM> may be routed. Routing the cable <NUM> within the armrest <NUM> may be advantageous in preventing the passenger from accessing the cable <NUM>. It is contemplated that the use of the button <NUM> may allow for armrests <NUM> including reduced widths. For example, the armrest <NUM> may include a width of between <NUM> and <NUM> inches (between <NUM> and <NUM>).

The button <NUM> is configured to generate an electrical signal by a mechanical input of the button <NUM>, such as when the button <NUM> is depressed and again when the button <NUM> is released. The button <NUM> may generate the electrical signal in a number of suitable manners. The button <NUM> generates the electrical signal by converting mechanical power to electrical power. The button <NUM> may include, but is not limited to, a piezoelectric or an electromagnet. For example, the piezoelectric may include any piezoelectric element which generates electric charge due to mechanical stresses. By way of another example, the electromagnet may include any electromagnet including a magnet and a coil. Motion of the magnet relative to the coil may induce a current within the coil causing the button to generate the electrical signal. The piezoelectric element or the electromagnet may be selected based on one or more factors, such as, but not limited to, a size, a stroke length, an output voltage, and an output current. The button <NUM> thus generates the electrical signal without requiring a connection to a battery or a line power. Generating the electrical signal without the exterior power source may be advantageous in that the button <NUM> may include a reduced size. By utilizing energy harvesting technology, a power supply to an electronic recline button is not required opening up design space for more narrow armrests.

The button <NUM> may then transmit the generated electrical signal to the solenoid <NUM>. For example, the button <NUM> may be coupled to the solenoid <NUM> by way of the cable <NUM>, or the like. The cable <NUM> may be routed through the armrest <NUM>. The cable <NUM> may generally include any electrical cable for carrying electric current from the button <NUM> to the solenoid <NUM>. The electrical signal transmitted to the solenoid <NUM> may include a burst of energy, a yes/no signal, or the like. As may be understood, the burst of energy may include current and voltage which is based, at least in part, on the configuration of the button <NUM>. The cable <NUM> may thus require no "throw", such that the cable <NUM> may be routed through a tighter bend radius. The button <NUM> may transmit a first signal when the button <NUM> is depressed and a second signal when the button <NUM> is released.

In embodiments, the actuator of the recline mechanism include the solenoid <NUM>. the solenoid <NUM> may include a coil and a plunger (not depicted). The solenoid <NUM> may be engaged by supplying current to the coil by which the coil generates an electromagnetic field due to induction. The coil may be energized with current from an aircraft line power, a battery, or the like. The use of the aircraft line power may be advantageous in providing the solenoid <NUM> continually with power for several seconds, for the duration in which the button <NUM> is depressed. The electromagnetic field may then motivate the plunger from a disengaged position to an engage position by linear motion. Such solenoid <NUM> may be arranged in any suitable manner, such as a pull-type solenoid or a push-type solenoid. Such motivation of the plunger may then cause the cylinder and piston assembly <NUM> to become unlocked. For example, the solenoid <NUM> may be coupled to the cylinder and piston assembly <NUM> by a lever <NUM>. As the plunger of the solenoid <NUM> is translated, the lever <NUM> may cause a valve of the solenoid <NUM> to be opened, thereby allowing flow of hydraulic fluid from a first side of the piston to a second side of the piston. The solenoid <NUM> may thus be engaged upon receiving a first signal from the button <NUM> and disengaged when a second signal is received from the button <NUM>. Recline adjustments can be achieved by engaging the solenoid <NUM>, and maintaining the solenoid <NUM> in the engaged position. The engagement of the solenoid <NUM> may cause the cylinder and piston assembly <NUM> to be in an unlocked state, allowing for angular position adjustments of the seatback <NUM>. The seatback <NUM> may then be urged into various angular position while the cylinder and piston assembly <NUM> is in the unlocked state. The seatback <NUM> can be positioned in an upright sitting position, for example for taxi, take-off and landing, by depressing the button <NUM> while leaning forward and allowing the stored force in the cylinder and piston assembly <NUM> to return the seatback <NUM> to upright. The seatback <NUM> can also be positioned in an recline sitting position, for example for long-haul flight, by depressing the button <NUM> while leaning backwards to motivate the cylinder and piston assembly <NUM> and the seatback <NUM>. Although the actuator is described and depicted as being the solenoid <NUM>, this is not intended as a limitation of the present disclosure. It is further contemplated that the actuator of the recline mechanism may include any suitable actuator for unlocking and locking the piston and cylinder assembly <NUM>, such as, but not limited to, a stepper motor, a linear actuator, or the like. However, the solenoid <NUM> may be advantageous in providing rapid and controllable actuation.

In embodiments, the cylinder and piston assembly <NUM> may be a mechanical actuator including as a hydraulic cylinder <NUM> and a piston rod <NUM>. The cylinder and piston assembly <NUM> may further include a control valve (not depicted) within the hydraulic cylinder <NUM>. When the control valve is opened, the piston rod <NUM> may be released to allow translation of the piston rod relative to the cylinder. The cylinder and piston assembly <NUM> may thus include a locked state in which the piston rod <NUM> is prevented from translating relative to the hydraulic cylinder <NUM> and an unlocked state in which the piston rod <NUM> is permitted to translate. The cylinder and piston assembly <NUM> may couplable (e.g., pivotally coupled) to the spreader <NUM> and the seatback <NUM>, such that the translation of the piston rod <NUM> provides for angular adjustments of the seatback <NUM>. The cylinder and piston assembly <NUM> may also be referred to as a gas strut, a fluid strut, a recline lock, a seat recline lock, a recline lock actuator, lock cylinder, and the like. Such cylinder and piston assembly <NUM> may include any aircraft passenger seat recline lock which may be a commercially available device known in the art under a number of trade names.

The cylinder and piston assembly <NUM> may be coupled to a frame <NUM> of the seatback <NUM>. For example, the cylinder and piston assembly <NUM> may include a clevis end <NUM>. The clevis end <NUM> may be coupled to the frame <NUM> by way of a bracket <NUM>, or the like. The bracket <NUM> may be coupled between the frame <NUM> and the spreader <NUM> at a pivot joint <NUM>. The pivot joint <NUM> may provide a pivotal coupling for the frame <NUM> and the seatback <NUM> to the spreader <NUM>. The frame <NUM> and similarly the seatback <NUM> may thus pivot relative to the spreader <NUM> about the pivot joint <NUM> for adjusting the recline of the seatback <NUM>. By the bracket <NUM>, the piston and cylinder assembly <NUM> may be pivotally coupled between the spreader <NUM> and the seatback <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, the solenoid <NUM> may be coupled to the cylinder and piston assembly <NUM> by a lever <NUM>. The solenoid <NUM> or the cylinder and piston assembly <NUM> may also include a clevis end (or the like) by which the lever <NUM> is coupled between the solenoid <NUM> and the cylinder and piston assembly <NUM>. The lever <NUM> may be a moveable bar which is pivoted by the solenoid <NUM> for opening and closing a valve of the cylinder and piston assembly <NUM>, thereby unlocking and locking the movement of the cylinder and piston assembly <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flow diagram <NUM> for operating the recline mechanism of the aircraft seat <NUM> is described, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The button <NUM> may include a depressed state and a released state. At a step <NUM>, the button <NUM> may become depressed. At a step <NUM>, the button <NUM> generates and transmits a signal to the actuator (e.g., solenoid <NUM>, or another suitable actuator) in response to becoming depressed. The button <NUM> may include an electromagnet or a piezoelectric by which the button generates the signal. At a step <NUM>, the piston and cylinder assembly <NUM> is unlocked or otherwise disengaged, thereby allowing rotation of the seatback <NUM>. The piston and cylinder assembly <NUM> is disengaged by the solenoid <NUM> being energized in response to receiving the electrical signal from the button <NUM>, thereby opening a valve of the piston and cylinder assembly <NUM> through motion of the lever <NUM>. The disengagement of the piston and cylinder assembly <NUM> may allow movement of the piston rod <NUM>, and similarly the clevis end <NUM>, the bracket <NUM>, the frame <NUM>, and the seatback <NUM>. In a step <NUM>, the user may adjust the seatback to a desired angle by pulling or pushing on the seatback <NUM>. At a step <NUM>, the button <NUM> may be released (e.g., once a user has manually positioned the seatback <NUM> at a desired angle). At a step <NUM>, the button <NUM> may generate and transmit an electrical signal to the solenoid <NUM> in response to becoming released. At a step <NUM>, the piston and cylinder assembly <NUM> is locked or otherwise engaged, thereby preventing rotation of the seatback <NUM>. The piston and cylinder assembly <NUM> is engaged by deenergizing the solenoid <NUM> in response to receiving the second electrical signal from the button <NUM>, returning the lever <NUM> and closing the valve of the piston and cylinder assembly <NUM>. Locking the piston and cylinder assembly <NUM> may then prevent movement of the piston rod <NUM> and similarly the clevis end <NUM>, the bracket <NUM>, the frame <NUM>, and the seatback <NUM>. Thus, the solenoid <NUM> remains engaged or otherwise stays on until an additional electrical signal is received when the button <NUM> is released. Such arrangement is advantageous in allowing the user to lock and unlock the piston and cylinder assembly <NUM> in a relatively short time period (e.g., the few seconds taken to adjust the seatback angle). Furthermore, the solenoid <NUM> may automatically deenergize when the button <NUM> is released. Automatically deenergizing the solenoid <NUM> may be advantageous to prevent the solenoid <NUM> from overheating and to prevent the piston and cylinder assembly <NUM> from remaining unlocked.

Referring now to <FIG>, a simplified schematic diagram of a recline mechanism <NUM> is described, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiments and the enabling technology described previously herein in the context of the aircraft <NUM> should be interpreted to extend to the recline mechanism <NUM>. For example, the recline mechanism <NUM> may be similar to the recline mechanism of the aircraft <NUM>, with the exception that the button <NUM> includes a communication interface <NUM> and the solenoid <NUM> includes a communication interface <NUM>. The communication interface <NUM> and the communication interface <NUM> may include any known wireless communication interface and similarly may communication by any known wireless communication protocol suitable for short-range wireless communication onboard the aircraft <NUM>, such as, but not limited to, Wi-Fi, Li-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and the like. Thus, the button <NUM> may communicate the electrical signals to the solenoid <NUM> wirelessly (e.g., without the cable <NUM>) by way of the communication interface <NUM> and the communication interface <NUM>. A coil of the solenoid <NUM> may then be engaged with power from a power source <NUM> (e.g., aircraft line power or a battery) for unlocking the cylinder and piston assembly <NUM>. Where the button <NUM> includes the communication interface <NUM>, the button <NUM> may power the communication interface <NUM> by the electrical signal generated upon being depressed.

Referring generally again to <FIG>, although the recline mechanism has been described as including a solenoid <NUM> for opening and closing the valve of the piston and cylinder assembly <NUM>, this is not intended as a limitation of the present disclosure. It is contemplated that a number of actuators may be suitable for locking and unlocking the piston and cylinder assembly <NUM>. The actuator may include, but is not limited to, one or more of a linear actuator, a rotary actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electric actuator, and the like. For example, the actuator may include a stepper motor. The actuator may also include various switches, or the like, by which the actuator is engaged and disengaged in response to receiving the electrical signals from the button <NUM>.

Although much of the present disclosure is directed to the passenger seat <NUM> being installed within the aircraft <NUM> or aircraft cabin, it is noted herein the passenger seat <NUM> may be installed within any number of environments. For example, the environment may include any type of vehicle known in the art. For instance, the vehicle may be any air, land, or water-based personal equipment or vehicle; any air, land, or water-based commercial equipment or vehicle; any air, land, or water-based military equipment or vehicle known in the art. By way of another example, the environment may include a commercial or industrial establishment (e.g., a home or a business).

Claim 1:
A recline mechanism comprising:
a cylinder and piston assembly (<NUM>) couplable to a seatback (<NUM>) of a passenger seat (<NUM>), the cylinder and piston assembly configurable between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the cylinder and piston assembly is configured to prevent angular adjustment of the seatback when the cylinder and piston assembly is in the locked state and is configured to permit the angular adjustment of the seatback when the cylinder and piston assembly is in the unlocked state;
an actuator (<NUM>) coupled to the cylinder and piston assembly for causing the locked state and the unlocked state; and
a button (<NUM>) configured to generate and transmit an electrical signal to the actuator in response to the button becoming depressed; wherein the actuator causes the unlocked state of the cylinder and piston assembly in response to receiving the electrical signal; wherein the button is configured to generate and transmit an additional electrical signal to the actuator in response to the button becoming released; wherein the actuator causes the locked state of the cylinder and piston assembly in response to receiving the additional electrical signal;
characterised in that the button (<NUM>) generates the electrical signal and the additional electrical signal without the button being connected to an electrical power supply; and
in that the button (<NUM>) generates the electrical signal by converting mechanical power to electrical power.