Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a seat, an aircraft passenger seat in particular, having seat components such as a seat element, a backrest retained by a backrest structure, and control and functional elements. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   DE 100 19 484 describes a modem aircraft passenger seat having a seat element, a backrest retained by backrest structure, and control and functional elements. For lengthy travel periods, the several control and functional elements serve in part to optimize the seat comfort afforded the seat occupant and in part to perform functions relating to flight operation. The elements increasing comfort are represented, for example, by adjustment mechanisms for movable seat components, such as mechanisms for adjustment of the tilt of the backrest and/or a leg rest. Mechanisms which may be operated by the seat occupant to control lighting, audio, or video devices, air conditioning devices and the like are also customarily present. 
   Installation of a correspondingly large number of such seat components results in a relatively complex configuration of such seats. However, a compact, light-weight configuration is of decisive importance for such seats provided for passenger transportation, especially for aircraft passenger seats for commercial aviation. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a seat, an aircraft passenger seat in particular, having a configuration which facilitates the installation of the pertinent control and functional elements. 
   This object is attained according to the present invention by a seat, an aircraft passenger seat in particular, having a structural element designed as an indispensable component of the seat structure, and used in the added function of delivery of energy to supply functional or control elements of the seat. Simplification of the configuration of the components to be integrated into the seat is achieved. In addition, use of the cavity of the hollow section of the backrest structure as a guide for transmission of energy to connected elements does not result in structural weakening of the hollow section of the backrest structure. Structural simplification is not achieved to the detriment of the structural strength required for seats of this type for absorption of the forces occurring in the event of a crash. 
   The cavity of the hollow section may be provided as a guide for lines for transmission of electric and/or mechanical energy to electric or mechanical functional or control elements. 
   In one especially advantageous exemplary embodiment, the cavity of the hollow section is provided as a guide for delivery of a flowable medium. In particular, a line for delivery of air extends through the cavity of the hollow section to an air outlet nozzle, preferably for delivery of fresh air. 
   In one especially advantageous embodiment, the hollow section forming the backrest structure is in the form of a one-piece frame component bent to a U-shape. The sides of the U-shaped frame extend along the side edges of the associated backrest. The transverse strip of that frame connects the sides associated with the upper edge area of the backrest. 
   An opening extending into the interior of the hollow section for connection of a source of air may be provided on one of the sides of the frame component in the area of its lower end adjacent to the seat element. The source of air may be an air pump positioned on the seat element below the seat surface. Preferably, a radial blower may be operated by an electric motor. The outlet side of the blower is connected by a hose line to the opening in the side of the frame component. 
   In one advantageous embodiment of the seat, a branch permitting discharge of air from the cavity of the hollow section and leading to an air outlet nozzle may be provided on the transverse strip connecting the sides of the frame component and extending along the upper edge area of the backrest. 
   For seats provided in a succession of rows of seats, as is the case especially with aircraft passenger seats, the air outlet nozzle may be mounted on the rear side of the backrest of the seat so that the air outlet is oriented rearward. Accordingly, the outlet nozzle functions as a fresh air nozzle for the seat immediately to the rear. Preferably, a control element may be operated by a seat occupant to control the discharge of air, and may be provided on the rear side of the backrest spatially coordinated with the outlet nozzle. 
   Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings which form a part of this disclosure: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a row of three seats for mounting on an aircraft in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a rear elevated view of the row of seats shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 3  a perspective view in the form of a highly simplified diagram only of some structural elements and interior structural components of the row of seats shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The disclosed embodiment of the present invention comprises an aircraft passenger seat. The present invention need not, however, be limited to use with aircraft passenger seats. In principle, it may also be applied to any seat, including ones used in overland and nautical vehicles. 
     FIG. 1  is a greatly simplified diagram of a row of seats  1  forming part of the seating of an aircraft for commercial aviation and containing three seats positioned side by side, with the row  1  of seats shown diagonally from the front. The seat elements are identified by the reference numeral  3 . The inclination of the backrests  5  relative to the seat element  3  may be adjusted by a tilting mechanism (not shown) and may be controlled by actuation of push buttons  11  positioned on arm rests  7 . Each arm rest  7  extends longitudinally and forms a lateral limit of the respective seat area and which optionally may be pivoted or folded down. A side bracket  19  has a reading light  9  mounted thereon and pointing obliquely downward, and is positioned on the upper edge  15  of each backrest  5 . A storage compartment  45  for a life vest, in the manner customary for aircraft passenger seats, is situated beneath the seat element  3 . 
     FIG. 2  presents a view in diagram form of the rear side of the row of seats  1  of  FIG. 1 . As is customary for aircraft passenger seats, a folding tabletop  13  is mounted on the rear side of the backrest  5 . A flat screen monitor  17  is mounted between the upper edge  15  of the backrest  5  and the tabletop  13 . The bracket  19 , having the reading light  9  on its front side, has on its rear side shown in  FIG. 2  a fresh air outlet nozzle  21 . Mounted diagonally below the outlet nozzle  21  is a rotary switch  23  for controlling the air discharged from the outlet nozzle  21 . Display elements  25  are below the rotary switch  23  and provide displays relating to flight operation. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates delivery of energy for supplying the outlet nozzle  21  with fresh air. For the sake of greater clarity, only the structural elements required for explanation of the present invention are shown in  FIG. 3 . A tubular main traverse support  27  is mounted above the cabin floor. A rear transverse support  29  forms the support for the seat element (not shown). Longitudinal supports  31 , of which only the pair associated with the seat positioned on the left is shown in  FIG. 3 , has the adjustable-angle backrest mounted thereon (mounting mechanism not shown). 
   The backrest structure has a one-piece, U-shaped frame component  33  having a closed hollow section. The frame sides  35  extend longitudinally, and a frame cross-web  37  connects the frame sides at the upper edge  15  of the backrest. The cavity of the hollow section of the frame component  33  forms a pipeline or conduit for supplying the outlet nozzle  21  with air. For this purpose, one side of the upper cross-web  37  has a branch  39  by through which air discharges from the cavity of the hollow section and may be delivered, with a control valve (not shown) operated by the switch  23  inserted between them, via branch  39  to the outlet nozzle  21 . Air enters at the lower end of the side  35  of the frame component  33  positioned on the right in FIG.  3 , by way of a connection opening. The connection opening is connected a hose line  41  extending to the discharge side of an air pump in the form of a radial blower  43  operated by an electric motor. 
   For the seat shown positioned on the right in  FIG. 3 , the blower  43  is positioned below the seat surface in the central area above the storage compartment  45  for a life vest conventionally mounted on the underside of the seat. Such configuration of the blower  43  is not mandatory. Depending on the design circumstances, the blower  43  may also be installed to the side of the central area so that the central area is optionally available for an electric and/or electronic device  47  connected by cabling  49  to corresponding electric/electronic devices such as a display screen, audio system, lighting system, and the like. 
   In the case of the described exemplary embodiment, the cavity of the hollow section forming the frame component  33  is used as an air duct. Electric energy is transmitted by separate cabling  49 . The interior of the hollow section may, of course, also be used as a duct for cabling in place of or in addition to use as an air duct. Conduction of mechanical energy may also be provided in the hollow sections, for example, by operating cables or Bowden cables. 
   Supply of the outlet nozzles  21  with fresh air drawn in by the associated blower  43  from the area below the seat element  3  and delivered to the nozzle  21  could also be replaced by supply of the outlet nozzle  21  via the hollow section of the frame component  33  from a central air conditioning assembly of the respective vehicle/aircraft. For example, air may be conducted by the pipe of the main transverse support  27 , and air could be delivered from it over a flexible branch line to the hollow section of the frame component  33 . 
   The hollow section forming the frame component  33  is produced by a conventional extrusion process. In the event of use as a line for air, the cavity of the profile is, of course, sealed, with the exception of the air intake point and the air outlet point (branch  39 ). 
   While one embodiment has been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Technology Category: b