Patent Description:
Passenger aircraft, such as commercial air planes, which comprise a passenger cabin with passenger seats, are usually equipped with aircraft overhead passenger service units ("PSUs"), which are arranged above the passenger seats. Such aircraft overhead passenger service units may comprise individually switchable passenger reading lights, air gaspers for supplying fresh air to the passengers, loudspeakers and switchable visual signs. The aircraft overhead passenger service units may further comprise oxygen masks, which may be released and activated for supplying an oxygen rich gas to the passengers in emergency situations, in particular in emergency situations which result in a loss of air pressure within the aircraft passenger cabin.

<CIT> discloses a supply module for a passenger transport vehicle that includes, but is not limited to a first supply unit for supplying passengers with a first supply medium in a first supply area and a second supply unit for supplying passengers with a second supply medium in a second supply area. Furthermore, the supply module includes, but is not limited to a control unit which is configured to activate the first supply unit in a first subregion of the first supply area and to activate the second supply unit in a second subregion of the second supply area, based on a predeterminable seating configuration.

In order to provide the desired functionalities in a satisfactory manner, the passenger service units should be arranged at expedient positions with respect to the associated passenger seats. In previous approaches, the positions of the passenger service units are adjusted when the seat configuration / seat map is modified and the positions of the passenger seats within the aircraft passenger cabin are changed. Changing the positions of the passenger service units within the aircraft passenger cabin is a cumbersome and time consuming task, which adds additional burden to the modification of the seat configuration / seat map.

It would therefore be beneficial to provide an aircraft overhead passenger service unit that allows for switching between different seat configurations / seat maps within a passenger cabin of an aircraft more easily.

There are defined an aircraft overhead passenger service unit in accordance with claim <NUM>, a method of configuring an aircraft overhead passenger service unit in accordance with claim <NUM>, an aircraft in accordance with claim <NUM>, and a method of configuring a plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units of an aircraft in accordance with claim <NUM>.

Further embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention include an aircraft overhead passenger service unit, which is to be installed above the passenger seats in a passenger cabin of an aircraft, and which comprises a plurality of oxygen masks for supplying oxygen to aircraft passengers in an emergency situation. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the aircraft overhead passenger service unit comprises at least two different oxygen mask storage portions, which are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction. When the aircraft overhead passenger service unit is installed within an aircraft, said longitudinal direction may coincide with the longitudinal extension of the aircraft.

The plurality of oxygen masks are stored in the at least two different oxygen mask storage portions. In other words, the plurality of oxygen masks are distributed among the at least two different oxygen mask storage portions. In yet other words, a first group of oxygen masks is stored in a first oxygen mask storage portion, and a second group of oxygen masks is stored in a second oxygen mask storage portion, which is spaced apart from the first oxygen mask storage portion.

The aircraft overhead passenger service unit further comprises an oxygen mask controller, which is switchable between at least two different oxygen mask supply configurations. The at least two different oxygen mask storage portions are individually associated with the at least two different oxygen mask supply configurations of the oxygen mask controller. In other words, each of the the at least two different oxygen mask storage portions is associated with a particular one of the at least two different oxygen mask supply configurations.

Each of the at least two different oxygen mask supply configurations effects that only the oxygen masks, which are stored in the respectively associated oxygen mask storage portion, are released in an emergency situation. The at least two different oxygen mask supply configurations may also include a configuration, in which no oxygen masks are released in the emergency situation.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention also include aircraft, such as an air plane or a helicopter, comprising a passenger cabin and a plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. The plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units may be installed as one or more passenger service unit arrays along a longitudinal direction of the aircraft within the passenger cabin. The aircraft overhead passenger service units may be installed so that adjacent aircraft overhead passenger service units abut against each other. In alternative embodiments, gaps or filler elements may be present between adjacent aircraft overhead passenger service units. A plurality of passenger service unit arrays may be associated with a plurality of passenger seat blocks.

For example, in an aircraft with a center aisle only and no separators between different classes, the passenger seats to the left of the center aisle may form a first passenger seat block, associated with a first passenger service unit array along the longitudinal direction of the aircraft, and the passenger seats to the right of the center aisle may form a second passenger seat block, associated with a second passenger service unit array along the longitudinal direction of the aircraft. The additional features, modifications and effects, described herein with respect to exemplary embodiments of an aircraft overhead passenger service unit, apply to the aircraft in an analogous manner.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention further include a method of configuring an aircraft overhead passenger service unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein the method includes: on the basis of a service unit position of the aircraft overhead passenger service unit within a passenger cabin of an aircraft, determining an associated passenger seat or a row of associated passenger seats within the passenger cabin; and on the basis of the service unit position of the aircraft overhead passenger service unit and a seat position of the associated passenger seat or the row of associated passenger seats, selecting a particular one of the at least two different configurations of the oxygen mask controller. The additional features, modifications and effects, described herein with respect to exemplary embodiments of an aircraft overhead passenger service unit, apply to the method of configuring an aircraft overhead passenger service unit in an analogous manner.

An aircraft overhead passenger service unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention may be adapted easily to at least two different passenger seat configurations by selectively switching the oxygen mask controller between the at least two different oxygen mask supply configurations. As compared to previous approaches, the passenger seat configuration of an aircraft, which is equipped with aircraft overhead passenger service units according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, may be changed quickly and conveniently. In accordance with a modified passenger seat configuration / passenger seat map, the oxygen mask controllers of the aircraft passenger service units may be selectively switched between their respective at least two different oxygen mask supply configurations. The dropping locations of the released oxygen masks may be adapted to the modified passenger seat configuration / passenger seat map in a quick and convenient manner. Such adaptation may be carried out without changing the positions of the aircraft overhead passenger service units in the aircraft cabin.

In an aircraft according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the aircraft cabin is configured to be selectively equipped with passenger seats in accordance with a plurality of seat maps. The plurality of seat maps may differ, for at least a portion of the aircraft cabin, with respect to the distances between adjacent passengers seats along the longitudinal direction, of the aircraft. For each of the plurality of different seat maps, each passenger seat is associated with a particular one of the plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units, and, for at least a portion of the aircraft cabin, the relative positions between the plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units and the respectively associated passenger seats differ among the plurality of seat maps. With the spaced arrangement of the different oxygen mask storage portions of the aircraft overhead passenger service units, the aircraft overhead passenger service units provide inherent flexibility to adapt the dropping locations of the oxygen masks to the differing seat maps.

An aircraft according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention may further comprise a central controller, which is coupled to the oxygen mask controllers of the plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units. The central controller and the oxygen mask controllers of the plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units may be coupled in such a way that the central controller can control the oxygen mask controllers of the plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units with respect to the selection of the oxygen mask supply configuration.

The central controller may be configured for communicating with the oxygen mask controllers via wired or wireless connections. Wireless connections may be implement using WLAN, Bluetooth®, or a similar technology.

The central controller may be integrated into one of the aircraft overhead passenger service units. Alternatively, the central controller may be provided separately from the aircraft overhead passenger service units.

In an embodiment, the central controller may be configured to: determine the relative positions between the plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units and the respectively associated passenger seats for a current seat map of the aircraft cabin of the aircraft; and, for each of the plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units, control the oxygen mask controller of the respective aircraft overhead passenger service unit to assume a particular one of the at least two different configurations on the basis of said relative positions.

The central controller may be configured to determine the relative positions between the plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units and the respectively associated passenger seats by calculating the relative positions from the raw data of the absolute positions of the plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units and the absolute positions of the passenger seats within the aircraft. It is also possible that the central controller uses the current seat map and the distribution of the aircraft overhead passenger service units as known input variables for accessing the associations and relative positions between seats and aircraft overhead passenger service units from a database. Other ways of determining the relative positions are possible as well.

As a result, the oxygen mask supply configurations of the aircraft overhead passenger service units may be set quickly and easily in correspondence with a current seat configuration / current seat map by providing a coordinated control via the central controller. Such an approach may avoid the need for individually setting the oxygen mask supply configurations of the aircraft overhead passenger service units. It may also help in keeping the local controllers, i.e. the oxygen mask controllers, of the aircraft overhead passenger service units lean.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention further include a method of configuring the plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units of an aircraft according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein the method includes: relating a current seat map of the aircraft cabin of the aircraft to the positions of the plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units within the aircraft cabin; and for each of the plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units, controlling the oxygen mask controller of the respective aircraft overhead passenger service unit to assume a particular one of the at least two different configurations on the basis of said relating of the current seat map of the aircraft cabin of the aircraft to the positions of the plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units within the aircraft cabin. The additional features, modifications and effects, described herein with respect to exemplary embodiments of an aircraft overhead passenger service unit, with respect to exemplary embodiments of an aircraft, and with respect to exemplary embodiments of a method of configuring an aircraft overhead passenger service unit, apply to the method of configuring the plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units of an aircraft in an analogous manner.

In an embodiment, each of the at least two oxygen mask storage portions comprises an oxygen mask storage compartment, which is equipped with a movable door. The movable door may be configured to open for releasing the oxygen masks stored within the respective oxygen mask storage compartment in case of a pressure loss within the passenger cabin. The movable door may be configured to open in response to a signal supplied by the oxygen mask controller and/or in response to an emergency signal provided by a pressure loss detector, which is configured for detecting a loss of air pressure within the passenger cabin.

After the movable door of the oxygen mask storage compartment has been opened and the oxygen masks have been released, an oxygen supply, which is configured for supplying an oxygen rich gas to the oxygen masks, may be activated.

The oxygen supply may be activated in response to the emergency signal. Alternatively, the oxygen supply may be activated in response to a first breath, which is taken by a passenger through the oxygen mask after applying the oxygen mask to his/her face. The oxygen supply may be an oxygen source, arranged in the aircraft overhead passenger service unit. The oxygen source may be a stand-alone unit that is able to provide oxygen by itself, i.e. without receiving oxygen from an entity outside of the aircraft overhead passenger service unit. The oxygen source may be a pressurized oxygen container, such as a pressurized oxygen cylinder. It is also possible that the oxygen source is a chemical oxygen generator. The chemical oxygen generator may generate oxygen at the time of use via a chemical reaction. The pressurized oxygen container may have a mechanical actuator / initiator or a pyroelectric actuator / initiator. Similarly, the chemical oxygen generator may have a mechanical starter or a pyroelectric starter.

In an alternative configuration, the oxygen masks may be supplied with oxygen from a centralized oxygen supply, which is configured for supplying oxygen to the oxygen masks of a plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units within the passenger cabin.

In an embodiment, one, two, three, four, five or more oxygen masks are stored in each of the at least two oxygen mask storage portions, respectively. In particular, the same number of oxygen masks may stored in the at least two two oxygen mask storage portions, respectively.

In order to ensure that each passenger is provided with an individual oxygen mask, the number of oxygen masks, which are stored in each of the at least two oxygen mask storage portions, may be at least as large as the number of passenger seats associated with the respective aircraft overhead passenger service unit. For redundancy and/or for supplying additional oxygen masks to small children, which are not assigned to their own passenger seat, at least one extra oxygen mask may be provided in each oxygen mask storage portion.

In an embodiment, each of the at least two oxygen mask storage portions comprises an array of oxygen masks. The array of oxygen masks may extend in a transverse direction, i.e. in a direction, which is oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal direction. The transverse direction may in particular be oriented parallel to the row of passenger seats, which are associated with the respective aircraft overhead passenger service unit, so that at least one oxygen mask may be released over each passenger seat. Such a configuration may make it easier for the passengers to identify and grab their respectively assigned oxygen mask.

In an embodiment, each of the at least two oxygen mask storage portions may has a maximum extension of <NUM>, or <NUM> inches, in particular a maximum extension of <NUM>, or <NUM> inches, in the longitudinal direction, and a maximum extension of <NUM>, or <NUM> inches, in particular a maximum extension of <NUM>, or <NUM> inches, in the transverse direction. Such dimensions of the mask storage portions have been found as well suited for storing suitable numbers of oxygen masks, while allowing for the at least two oxygen mask storage portions to be accommodated well in the aircraft overhead passenger service unit.

In an embodiment, the distance between the oxygen mask storage portions along the longitudinal direction is between <NUM> (<NUM> inches) and <NUM> (<NUM> inches), in particular between <NUM> (<NUM> inches) and <NUM> (<NUM> inches). Such distances between the oxygen mask storage portions have been found suitable for adjusting the aircraft overhead passenger service unit to commonly used seat configurations, in particular to seat configurations in which the distances between adjacent seat rows along the longitudinal direction L varies between <NUM> (<NUM> inch) and <NUM> (<NUM> inch). In particular, the stated distance values between the oxygen mask storage portions may allow for at least one of the oxygen mask storage portions and, thus, for at least one of the release positions of oxygen masks to be in good reach for the passengers for a wide range of seat configurations.

In an embodiment, the aircraft overhead passenger service unit further comprises an oxygen supply, in particular an oxygen source such as a pressurized oxygen container or a chemical oxygen generator, which is configured for supplying oxygen to the oxygen masks in an emergency situation. The aircraft overhead passenger service unit may in particular comprise a joint oxygen supply, such as a joint oxygen source, which is configured for supplying oxygen to all oxygen masks of the respective aircraft overhead passenger service unit, i.e. to the oxygen masks of all of the at least two oxygen mask storage portions.

In an alternative embodiment, the oxygen masks may be supplied with oxygen from a centralized oxygen supply, which is configured for supplying oxygen to the oxygen masks of a plurality or even all aircraft overhead passenger service units within the passenger cabin.

In an embodiment, the aircraft overhead passenger service unit further comprises at least one reading light and an associated reading light controller. The at least one reading light and the associated reading light controller may be switchable between at least two different reading light configurations, wherein different reading light outputs are emitted by the at least one reading light in each of the at least two reading light configurations.

Such an embodiment may allow for easily adjusting the reading light output(s), emitted by the at least one reading light of the passenger service unit, to at least two different seat configurations / seat maps by selectively switching the reading light controller into a corresponding reading light configuration.

Alternatively or additionally, the reading light output, provided by the at least one reading light, may be manually adjustable for adjusting the light output of the at least one reading light to the respective seat configuration.

The reading light controller may be coupled to or formed integrally with the oxygen mask controller for switching the reading light controller between the at least two different reading light configurations together with the oxygen mask controller. In this way, the reading light configuration may be adjusted together with the oxygen mask supply configuration. Such a coupling between the reading light controller and the oxygen mask controller may make the adjustment of the aircraft passenger service unit to different seat configurations even more convenient.

The aircraft overhead passenger service unit may comprise a single group of reading lights, wherein each of the reading lights is associated with one of the passenger seats and is switchable between at least two reading light configurations.

In an alternative embodiment, the aircraft overhead passenger service unit may comprise a plurality of groups of reading lights, wherein each of the reading lights of each group is associated with one of the passenger seats, respectively. Each group of reading lights is associated with one of the different reading light configurations. In this embodiment, the reading lights of one of the plurality of groups of reading lights may be selectively activated, depending on the selected reading light configuration.

In an embodiment, the aircraft overhead passenger service unit further comprises at least one gasper and an associated gasper controller. The at least one gasper and the associated gasper controller may be switchable between at least two different gasper configurations, wherein a different output of air is provided by the at least one gasper in each of the at least two gasper configurations.

Such an embodiment may allow for easily adjusting the output of air, provided by the at least one gasper of the passenger service unit, to at least two different seat configurations / seat maps by selectively switching the gasper controller into the corresponding gasper configuration.

Alternatively or additionally, the output of air, provided by the at least one gasper, may be manually adjustable for adjusting the output of air to the respective seat configuration.

The gasper controller may be coupled to or formed integrally with the oxygen mask controller for switching the gasper controller between the at least two different gasper configurations together with the oxygen mask controller. In this way, the gasper configuration may be adjusted together with the oxygen mask supply configuration. Such a coupling between the gasper controller and the oxygen mask controller may make the adjustment of the aircraft passenger service unit to different seat configurations even more convenient.

The aircraft overhead passenger service unit may comprise a single group of gaspers, wherein each of the gaspers is associated with a passenger seat and switchable between at least two gasper configurations.

In an alternative embodiment, the aircraft overhead passenger service unit may comprise a plurality of groups of gaspers, wherein each of the gaspers of each group is associated with one of the passenger seats, respectively. Each group of gaspers is associated with one of the different gasper configurations. In this embodiment, the gaspers of one of the plurality of groups of gaspers may be selectively activated, depending on the selected gasper configuration.

if the aircraft overhead passenger service unit comprises a reading light controller and a gasper controller, both the reading light controller and the gasper controller may be coupled to or formed integrally with the oxygen mask controller. In particular, an integrated oxygen mask and reading light and gasper controller may form a single controller of the aircraft overhead passenger service unit. An integration / a coupling of the mentioned controllers may allow for jointly switching between the at least two oxygen mask supply configurations, the at least two reading configurations and the at least two gasper configurations.

In an embodiment, the aircraft overhead passenger service unit further comprises at least one of a loudspeaker, a switchable visual sign, such as a "non-smoking" sign and/or a "fasten your seat belt" sign, and at least one electric switch.

The aircraft overhead passenger service unit may in particular comprise an electric switch or a group of electric switches, which allow for individually switching each of the reading lights.

The aircraft overhead passenger service unit may also comprise an electric switch or a group of electric switches for triggering a call signal to the cabin personnel.

The aircraft overhead passenger service unit may comprise a respective electric switch for individually switching a reading light and a respective electric switch for triggering a call signal to the cabin personnel for each passenger seat associated with the aircraft overhead passenger service unit.

Further exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with respect to the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

<FIG> depicts a schematic side view of an aircraft <NUM>, in particular of an air plane, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the aircraft <NUM> is a large passenger air plane, comprising a cockpit <NUM> and a passenger cabin <NUM>. The aircraft <NUM> may be a commercial passenger air plane, a private air plane, or a military aircraft. It is also possible that an aircraft overhead passenger service unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is employed in a rotorcraft, such as a helicopter.

<FIG> shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a section of the passenger cabin <NUM> of the aircraft <NUM> of <FIG>.

Four seats <NUM>, which are also referred to as passenger seats <NUM>, are visible in <FIG>. The passenger seats <NUM> are mounted to the floor <NUM> of the passenger cabin <NUM>. Each of the depicted passenger seats <NUM> belongs to a different seat row 80a-80d. The seat rows 80a-80d are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction L of the passenger cabin <NUM>.

For each of the seat rows 80a-80d, a window 108a-108d is provided, which allows the passengers to view the outside of the aircraft <NUM>. Further, a plurality of overhead baggage compartments <NUM>, which provide storage space for the passengers' baggage, are provided above the passenger seats <NUM>.

Each seat row 80a-80d may include a plurality of passenger seats <NUM>, for example three passenger seats <NUM>, which are arranged next to each other. The additional passenger seats (middle seat and window seat) of each seat row 80a-80d are not visible in <FIG>, as they are arranged behind and therefore hidden by the depicted passenger seats (aisle seats) <NUM>.

An aircraft overhead passenger service unit 109a-109d is provided above each of the seat rows 80a-80d, respectively. The aircraft overhead passenger service unit 109a-109d may be embodied in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention. For ease of illustration, a comparative example of an aircraft overhead passenger service unit is shown in an described with respect to <FIG>, before turning to the description of aircraft overhead passenger service units in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention.

<FIG> depicts a schematic plan view of an aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> according to a comparative example, as it is seen from the position of a passenger sitting on a passenger seat <NUM> below the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM>.

On the side, which is shown to the left in <FIG>, the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> comprises a row of three adjustable reading lights 126a-126c, which are arranged next to each other.

Six electrical switches 127a-127c, 128a-128c are provided to the right of the reading lights 126a-126c, a respective pair of two switches 127a-127c, 128a-128c next to each of the reading lights 126a-126c. A first one of the switches 127a-127c of each pair is configured for switching the adjacent reading light 126a-126c, and the second switch 128a-128c of each pair is configured for triggering a signal for calling cabin service personnel.

A row of three adjacent gaspers 129a-129c is provided next to the switches 127a-127c, 128a-128c.

Adjacent to the gaspers 129a-129c, there is an oxygen mask storage portion <NUM> comprising a movable door <NUM>, which covers an oxygen mask storage compartment <NUM>. The oxygen mask storage compartment <NUM> houses at least three oxygen masks <NUM>, which are coupled to an oxygen supply <NUM>, for example to an oxygen source <NUM> such as a pressurized oxygen container or a chemical oxygen generator.

In an emergency situation, which results in a loss of pressure within the passenger cabin <NUM>, the movable door <NUM> will open and allow the oxygen masks <NUM> to drop out of the oxygen mask storage compartment <NUM>. Each of the passengers sitting below the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> may grasp one of the oxygen masks <NUM>. After being activated, the oxygen supply <NUM> may supply an oxygen rich gas to the oxygen masks <NUM>, in order to allow the passengers to breathe almost normally, even in case of a pressure loss within the passenger cabin <NUM>.

The oxygen supply <NUM> may be activated in response to an emergency signal provided by a controller in response to a pressure loss within the passenger cabin. Alternatively, the oxygen supply <NUM> may be activated in response to a first breath taken by a passenger through the oxygen mask <NUM>.

Towards the right from the oxygen mask storage portion <NUM> in the viewing direction of <FIG>, a grid <NUM> is formed within the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM>. A loudspeaker (not shown), which may be used for delivering acoustic announcements to the passengers, may be arranged behind said grid <NUM>.

Next to the grid <NUM>, there is a display panel <NUM>, which may be configured for selectively showing a plurality of visual messages (not shown), such as "non smoking" or "fasten you seat belt". The display panel <NUM> may be illuminated from behind, in order to deliver visual information to the passengers sitting below the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM>.

In order to provide the desired functionalities, an aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM>, as is is shown in <FIG>, is positioned in a predefined position above the associated passenger seats <NUM>, resulting in a predefined relative position between the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> and the associated passenger seat <NUM>. In consequence, the correct positions of the aircraft overhead passenger service units <NUM> within the passenger cabin <NUM> depend on the positions of the associated passenger seats <NUM>, in particular on the positions of the associated passenger seats <NUM> along the longitudinal direction L of the passenger cabin <NUM> (cf.

Two different passenger seat configurations are schematically depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>.

In the first seat configuration, which is depicted in <FIG>, the distance D<NUM> between adjacent seat rows 80a-80c of passenger seats <NUM> along the longitudinal direction L may be, for example, <NUM> or <NUM> inches.

A section comprising three rows 80a-80c of passenger seats <NUM> is depicted in <FIG>. An aircraft overhead passenger service unit 109a-109c is arranged above each of the three seat rows 80a-80c, respectively.

Filler elements <NUM> are arranged between adjacent aircraft overhead passenger service units <NUM>, in order to fill the gaps between adjacent aircraft overhead passenger service units <NUM>.

In the second configuration, which is depicted in <FIG>, the distance D<NUM> between adjacent seat rows 80a-80c of the passenger seats <NUM> along the longitudinal direction L is shorter than in the first configuration depicted in <FIG>. The distance D<NUM> between adjacent rows 80a-80c of the passenger seats <NUM> along the longitudinal direction L may, for example, be <NUM> or <NUM> inches.

In order to ensure that the aircraft overhead passenger service units 109a-109d are arranged above the respectively associated passenger seats <NUM>, the distances between the aircraft overhead passenger service units <NUM> are reduced in accordance with the new distance D<NUM> between the rows 80a-80c of passenger seats <NUM>. The lengths of the filler elements <NUM>, which are arranged between adjacent aircraft overhead passenger service units <NUM>, are reduced accordingly.

In other words, if the seat configuration within the passenger cabin <NUM> is changed, e.g. from the first seat configuration depicted in <FIG> to the second seat configuration depicted in <FIG>, or vice versa, in particular if the distance D<NUM>, D<NUM> between the rows 80a-80c of passengers seats <NUM> along the longitudinal direction L is changed, the positions of the aircraft overhead passenger service units <NUM> need to be adjusted, and the filler elements <NUM> need to be replaced with different filler elements <NUM> having another length.

Changing the positions of the passenger service units <NUM> and replacing the filler elements <NUM> is cumbersome and time consuming.

It would therefore be beneficial to provide improved aircraft overhead passenger service units which may be adjusted to different seat configurations within the aircraft passenger cabin <NUM> more easily.

<FIG> depicts a schematic plan view of an aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, as it is seen from the position of a passenger sitting on a passenger seat <NUM> below the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM>.

Those components of the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> depicted in <FIG> that are analogous to the elements of the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> depicted in <FIG> are denoted with the same reference numerals and will not be discussed in detail again. Reference is made to their description above.

The aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, as it is depicted in <FIG>, differs from the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM>, as it is depicted in <FIG>, inter alia in that it comprises two oxygen mask storage portions 25a, 25b, which are spaced from each other along the longitudinal direction L.

At least one oxygen mask <NUM> is stored in each oxygen mask storage portion 25a, 25b. In other words, the oxygen masks <NUM>, which are provided within the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM>, are distributed among the two oxygen mask storage portions 25a, 25b. In particular, the oxygen masks <NUM> may be distributed such that a first group of oxygen masks <NUM> is stored in the first oxygen mask storage portion 25a and second group of oxygen masks <NUM> is stored in the second oxygen mask storage portion 25b.

One, two, three, four or five oxygen masks <NUM> may be stored in each of the at least two oxygen mask storage portions 25a, 25b, respectively. The number of oxygen masks <NUM>, which are stored in each oxygen mask storage portion 25a, 25b, may in particular depend on the number of passenger seats <NUM> in each seat row <NUM> associated with the respective aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM>. At least one oxygen mask <NUM> for each associated passenger seat <NUM> may be stored in the two oxygen mask storage portions 25a, 25b.

For example, one oxygen mask <NUM> for each passenger seat <NUM>, associated with the respective aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM>, and at least one additional oxygen mask <NUM>, providing a spare oxygen mask <NUM>, may be stored in each of the at least two oxygen mask storage portions 25a, 25b, respectively.

In the exemplary embodiment depicted in <FIG>, three oxygen masks <NUM> are stored in each oxygen mask storage portion 25a, 25b, respectively.

In each of the at least two oxygen mask storage portions 25a, 25b, the oxygen masks <NUM> may be stored as an array of oxygen masks <NUM>. In such an array of oxygen masks <NUM>, the oxygen masks <NUM> may be arranged next to each other along a transverse direction T, which is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction L.

Each of the at least two oxygen mask storage portions 25a, 26b may have a maximum extension Ta of <NUM> (<NUM> inches), in particular a maximum extension Ta of <NUM> (<NUM> inches) in the longitudinal direction L, and a maximum extension Tb of <NUM> (<NUM> inches), in particular a maximum extension Tb of <NUM> (<NUM> inches) in the transverse direction.

The distance d between the first and second oxygen mask storage portions 25a, 25b along the longitudinal direction L may be between <NUM> (<NUM> inches) and <NUM> (<NUM> inches), the distance d may in particular be between <NUM> (<NUM> inches) and <NUM> (<NUM> inches).

The aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> may comprise a joint oxygen supply <NUM>, for example a joint oxygen source such as a joint pressurized oxygen container or a joint chemical oxygen generator, which is configured for supplying oxygen to all oxygen masks <NUM>, stored in the two oxygen mask storage portions 25a, 25b.

In an alternative configuration, which is not explicitly shown in the figures, the oxygen masks <NUM> may be supplied with oxygen from a centralized oxygen supply <NUM>, which is configured for supplying oxygen to the oxygen masks <NUM> of a plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units <NUM>.

The aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> further comprises an oxygen mask controller <NUM>, which is switchable between at least two different oxygen mask supply configurations. Each of the the at least two different oxygen mask storage portions 25a, 25b is associated with a particular one of the at least two different oxygen mask supply configurations. In the event of a pressure loss within the passenger cabin <NUM>, each of the at least two different oxygen mask supply configurations effects the release and potential activation of only those oxygen masks <NUM>, which are associated with the associated oxygen mask storage portion 25a, 25b. Each of the at least two different oxygen mask supply configurations of the oxygen mask controller <NUM> may correspond to a particular seat configuration within the passenger cabin <NUM>. As a result, only those oxygen masks <NUM>, which are stored in positions above the passenger seats <NUM> in a suitable manner for the respective seat configuration, will be released and potentially activated in an emergency situation.

The oxygen mask controller <NUM> may further include an oxygen mask supply configuration, in which none of the oxygen masks <NUM> of the respective aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> is released and activated, even in an emergency situation. Such a zero configuration may be used in case no passenger seats <NUM> are associated with the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> in a particular seat configuration.

The aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> may further comprise a reading light controller <NUM>, which is switchable between at least two different reading light configurations, so that a different reading light output is emitted by the reading lights 126a-126c in each of the at least two reading light configurations. The reading light controller <NUM> may be coupled to or formed integrally with the oxygen mask controller <NUM> for switching the reading light controller <NUM> together with the oxygen mask controller <NUM> between the at least two different configurations.

Providing a reading light controller <NUM> may allow for automatically adjusting the reading light output, which is provided by the reading lights 126a-126c, to the respective seat configuration. Alternatively or additionally, the reading light output, provided by the reading lights 126a-126c, may be manually adjustable for manually adapting the reading light output, which is provided by the reading lights 126a-126c, to the respective seat configuration.

The aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> may comprise a single group of reading lights 126a-126c, as it is depicted in <FIG>, wherein each of the reading lights 126a-126c is switchable between at least two reading light configurations, respectively.

In an alternative embodiment, which is not explicitly shown in the figures, the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> may comprise a plurality of groups of reading lights, wherein each group of reading lights is associated with one of the different reading light configurations, so that the reading lights of one of the plurality of groups of reading lights are activated depending on the selected reading light configuration.

The aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> may also comprise a gasper controller <NUM>, which is switchable between at least two different gasper configurations, so that a different output of air is provided by the gaspers 129a-129c in each of the at least two gasper configurations. Alternatively or additionally, the output of air, provided by the gaspers 129a-129c, may be manually adjustable for manually adapting the output of air, provided by the gaspers 129a-129c, to the respective seat configuration.

The gasper controller <NUM> may be coupled to or formed integrally with the oxygen mask controller <NUM> for switching the gasper controller <NUM> together with the oxygen mask controller <NUM> between the at least two different configurations.

In an embodiment, in which the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> comprises a reading light controller <NUM> and a gasper controller <NUM>, both the reading light controller <NUM> and the gasper controller <NUM> may be coupled to or formed integrally with the oxygen mask controller <NUM>, forming a single controller <NUM> of the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM>.

Such an arrangement may allow for jointly switching the controllers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> between the at least two oxygen mask supply configurations, the at least two reading configurations and the at least two gasper configurations, respectively.

The aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> may comprise a single group of gaspers 129a-129c, as it is depicted in <FIG>, wherein each of the gaspers 129a-129c is switchable between at least two gasper configurations, respectively.

In an exemplary embodiment, which is not explicitly shown in the figures, the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> may comprise a plurality of groups of gaspers, wherein each group of gaspers is associated with one of the different gasper configurations, so that the gaspers of one of the plurality of groups of gaspers are activated depending on the selected gasper configuration.

<FIG> depicts a schematic plan view of an aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention, as it is seen from the position of a passenger sitting on a passenger seat <NUM> below the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM>.

The embodiment of the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM> depicted in <FIG> differs from the embodiment depicted in <FIG> in the spatial arrangement of its functional components.

In particular, in the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the loudspeaker <NUM>, the visual sign <NUM> and the controller <NUM> are arranged between the first and second oxygen mask storage portions 25a, 25b. Similar to the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the controller <NUM>, which is depicted as a single controller <NUM> in <FIG>, may provide the functionalities of an oxygen mask controller <NUM>, a reading light controller <NUM> and a gasper controller <NUM>. Alternatively, the oxygen mask controller <NUM>, the reading light controller <NUM> and the gasper controller <NUM> may be provided separately.

For clarity of illustration, switches 127a-127c, 128a-128c are not depicted in <FIG>.

Contrary to the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the embodiment, which is shown in <FIG>, does not comprise three reading lights 126a-126c, which are individually assigned to the passenger seats <NUM>, respectively. Instead, the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM>, which is depicted in <FIG>, comprises a first multiple seat reading light <NUM>-<NUM> and a second multiple seat reading light <NUM>-<NUM>. The first multiple seat reading light <NUM>-<NUM> is arranged between the first and second oxygen mask storage portions 25a, 25b. Tthe second multiple seat reading light <NUM>-<NUM> is arranged on the right side of the second oxygen mask storage portion 25b, i.e. on the side of the second oxygen mask storage portion 25b, which is opposite to the first oxygen mask storage portion 25a.

Each multiple seat reading light <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> is capable of emitting at least three individually switchable reading light outputs. Each reading light output is assigned to one of the passenger seats <NUM> located below the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM>, respectively. In other words, each reading light output is configured for providing illumination to one of said passenger seats <NUM>.

Similar to the two oxygen mask storage portions 25a, 25b, the two multiple seat reading lights <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> will be activated in correspondence with two different seat configurations within the passenger cabin <NUM>. Depending on the respective seat configuration within the passenger cabin <NUM>, one of the two multiple seat reading light <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> will be activated for providing illumination to the passenger seats <NUM>, which are arranged below the aircraft overhead passenger service unit <NUM>, whereas the other of the two multiple seat reading light <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> will be deactivated.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate two different seat configurations in a passenger cabin <NUM>, which correspond to the two seat configurations depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The distances D<NUM>, D<NUM> between adjacent rows <NUM> of passenger seats <NUM> along the longitudinal direction are different in the two seat configurations.

In the second seat configuration, which is depicted in <FIG>, the distance D<NUM> between adjacent seat rows 80a-80c of the passenger seats <NUM> along the longitudinal direction L is shorter. In particular, the distance D<NUM> between adjacent seat rows 80a-80c of the passenger seats <NUM> along the longitudinal direction L may, for example, be <NUM> or <NUM> inches.

In the embodiments depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, aircraft overhead passenger service units 110a-110d according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention, which is depicted in <FIG>, are provided above the passenger seats <NUM>.

In the two seat configurations depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, the aircraft overhead passenger service units 110a-110d are located at the same positions along the longitudinal direction L. In other words, the positions of the aircraft overhead passenger service units 110a-110d are not changed between the two configurations.

In the embodiments depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, there is further provided a central controller <NUM>, which is coupled to the oxygen mask controllers <NUM> of the aircraft overhead passenger service units 110a-110d for communicating with said oxygen mask controllers <NUM>.

The central controller <NUM> may be configured for communicating with the oxygen mask controllers <NUM> via wireless or wired connections, which are not shown in <FIG>and <FIG>. Wireless connections between the central controller <NUM> and the oxygen mask controllers <NUM> may be implemented using WLAN, Bluetooth®, or other suitable wireless technology.

The central controller <NUM> may have a memory where the locations of the plurality of aircraft overhead passenger service units and the locations of the passenger seats within the aircraft cabin, jointly referred to as the seat configuration or the seat map, are stored. For a given seat configuration / seat map and a given arrangement of aircraft overhead passenger service units, the central controller <NUM> may determine suitable associations between aircraft overhead passenger service units and passenger seats. Further, for each of the associations of aircraft passenger service units and passenger seats, the central controller <NUM> may determine the relative position between the aircraft overhead passenger service unit and the associated passenger seat / row of passenger seats. On the basis of said relative position, the central controller <NUM> may control the oxygen mask controller of the aircraft overhead passenger service unit in question to assume a particular one of the at least two oxygen mask supply configurations. For example, for each of the passenger seats / passenger seat rows, the oxygen mask controller of the associated aircraft overhead passenger service units may be set such that the oxygen masks of the oxygen mask storage portion closest to the front end of the passenger seat(s) in question are released in an emergency situation. Other rules for selecting the particular one of the at least two oxygen mask supply configurations may also be employed.

As indicated above, the central controller <NUM> is configured for switching the controllers <NUM>, <NUM>, in particular the oxygen mask controllers <NUM>, of the aircraft overhead passenger service units 110a-110d into one of their respective oxygen mask supply configurations. The oxygen mask supply configuration, into which the respective oxygen mask controller <NUM> is switched, may depend on the information available at the central controller <NUM>. As explained above, the central controller <NUM> may have a database of the positions of the passenger seats and the aircraft overhead passenger service units within the aircraft cabin and may calculate the oxygen mask supply configurations therefrom. It is also possible that the central controller <NUM> has a list of different seat maps, of different potential arrangements of aircraft overhead passenger service units, and of pre-calculated associations of passenger seats, aircraft overhead passenger service units and individual oxygen mask supply configurations for selected combinations or all combinations of seat maps and aircraft overhead passenger service unit arrangements.

Such approaches may allow for adjusting the configurations of the respective controllers <NUM>, <NUM> of all aircraft overhead passenger service units 110a-100d within the passenger cabin <NUM> in a convenient manner via the central controller <NUM>.

Similarly, the central controller <NUM> may be configured for switching the controllers <NUM>, <NUM>, in particular the reading light controllers <NUM>, of the aircraft overhead passenger service units 110a-110d into one of their respective reading light configurations. The reading light configuration, into which the respective controller <NUM>, <NUM> is switched, may depend on the information available at the central controller <NUM>. As explained above, the central controller <NUM> may have a database of the positions of the passenger seats <NUM> and the aircraft overhead passenger service units 110a-110d within the aircraft cabin and may calculate the reading configurations therefrom. It is also possible that the central controller <NUM> has a list of different seat maps, of different potential arrangements of aircraft overhead passenger service units 110a-110d, and of pre-calculated associations of passenger seats <NUM>, aircraft overhead passenger service units 110a-110d and individual reading light configurations for selected combinations or all combinations of seat maps and aircraft overhead passenger service unit arrangements.

In the first configuration, which is depicted in <FIG>, the oxygen masks <NUM>, which are stored in the first oxygen mask storage portions 25a of the first and fourth aircraft overhead passenger service units 110a, 110d, and the oxygen masks <NUM>, which are stored in the second oxygen mask storage portion 25b of the second aircraft overhead passenger service unit 110b, will be released in an emergency situation. This is indicated by the arrows, which as depicted next to the aircraft overhead passenger service units 110a-110d in <FIG>.

In said first configuration, none of the oxygen masks <NUM> of the third aircraft overhead passenger service unit 110c will be released in an emergency situation, as, in said first configuration, none of the oxygen masks <NUM> of the third aircraft overhead passenger service unit 110c is associated with one of the passenger seats <NUM>.

In the first configuration, the second multiple seat reading lights <NUM>-<NUM> of the first and second aircraft overhead passenger service units 110a, 110b, and the first multiple seat reading light <NUM>-<NUM> of the fourth aircraft overhead passenger service unit 110d are activated, as indicated by the arrows. In the first configuration, none of the multiple seat reading lights <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> of the third aircraft overhead passenger service unit 110c is activated.

In the second configuration, which is depicted in <FIG>, the oxygen masks <NUM>, which are stored in the first oxygen mask storage portions 25a of the first, second, third and fourth aircraft overhead passenger service units 110a-110d, will be released in an emergency situation, as it is indicated by the arrows, which are shown in <FIG>.

In said second configuration, none of the oxygen masks <NUM>, which are stored in the second oxygen mask storage portions 25b of the first to fourth aircraft overhead passenger service units <NUM>0a-<NUM>0d, will be released in an emergency situation, as, in said second seat configuration, none of the oxygen masks <NUM> stored in the second oxygen mask storage portions 25b is associated with one of the passenger seats <NUM>.

In the second configuration, the first multiple seat reading lights <NUM>-<NUM> of all aircraft overhead passenger service units 110a-110d are deactivated, and the second multiple seat reading lights <NUM>-<NUM> of all aircraft overhead passenger service units 110a-110d are activated, as indicated by the arrows, which are shown in <FIG>. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate that the aircraft overhead passenger service units <NUM> according to exemplary embodiments of the invention may be adapted conveniently and easily to different seat configurations within the passenger cabin <NUM> of an aircraft <NUM>. This adaptation may be done via the central controller <NUM>, which switches the oxygen mask controllers <NUM> of the aircraft overhead passenger service units <NUM> into the configurations, which are suitable for the respective seat configuration.

In an aircraft <NUM>, which is equipped with aircraft overhead passenger service units <NUM> according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the aircraft overhead passenger service units <NUM> may in particular be adapted to different seat configurations within the passenger cabin <NUM>, without changing the position of the aircraft overhead passenger service units <NUM> within the passenger cabin <NUM> and without adding and/or removing filler elements <NUM> between the aircraft overhead passenger service units <NUM>. In consequence, the seat configuration in the passenger cabin <NUM> may be changed more quickly and more conveniently than in an embodiment in which aircraft overhead passenger service units, which comprise only a single oxygen mask storage portion <NUM>, are used.

Claim 1:
Aircraft overhead passenger service unit (<NUM>), comprising:
a plurality of oxygen masks (<NUM>) for supplying oxygen to aircraft passengers in an emergency situation; and
at least two different oxygen mask storage portions (25a, 25b), which are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction (L);
wherein the plurality of oxygen masks (<NUM>) are stored in the at least two different oxygen mask storage portions (25a, 25b); and
wherein the aircraft overhead passenger service unit (<NUM>) further comprises an oxygen mask controller (<NUM>), which is switchable between at least two different configurations, wherein the at least two different oxygen mask storage portions (25a, 25b) are individually associated with the at least two different configurations, with each of the at least two different configurations effecting a release of only the oxygen masks (<NUM>) of the associated oxygen mask storage portion (25a, 25b) in the emergency situation.