Inductive power transmission in aircraft seats

• US 10,329,019 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2015
• Issued: 06/25/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC (Safran SA)
• Original Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC (Safran SA)
• Inventors: Noske, Mark E., Parker, C. Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Fritz M
• Application Number:
  US15/128,221
• Publication Number:
  US 20170101187A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,540 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0264 characterised by the type of electrical connection, e.g. wiring, plugs or USB
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/004 of foldable trays mounted on the back-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00152 Seat back fixtures for removable monitors, e.g. tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0624 Arrangements of electrical connectors, e.g. for earphone, internet or electric supply
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0638 with foldable tables, trays or cup holders
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/44 for aircrafts
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00302 Overcharge protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00309 Overheat or overtemperature protection

Abstract

Described are aircraft passenger seat assemblies with a passenger seat, a component with an outer surface attached the passenger seat. An inductive wireless power unit with a coil assembly is included with the aircraft passenger seat assembly, and the coil assembly is positioned within the component. A portion of the outer surface of the component covers the coil assembly. Wires connecting the coil assembly to a power supply are hidden from view within the aircraft passenger seat assembly.

Claims

1. An aircraft passenger seat assembly comprising:

a passenger seat comprising a cutout;

a component comprising an outer surface positioned proximate to the passenger seat such that the component is positioned within the cutout; and

an inductive wireless power unit comprising a coil assembly, wherein the coil assembly is positioned within the component, wherein;

the coil assembly is configured to charge a personal electronic device when the personal electronic device is positioned adjacent to the component;

a portion of the outer surface of the component covers the coil assembly; and

wires connecting the coil assembly to a power supply are hidden from view within the aircraft passenger seat assembly.

2. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the component is at least one of (i) a portion of a shell surrounding the passenger seat, (ii) a portion of a headrest, (iii) a portion of the passenger seat adjacent to an upper literature pocket, (iv) a portion of the passenger seat adjacent to a lower literature pocket, (v) a portion of a tray table, (vi) a portion of an arm rest, and (vii) a portion of a cocktail tray.

3. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the inductive wireless power unit further comprises a printed circuit board positioned within the passenger seat.

4. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the portion of the outer surface covering the coil assembly is formed of non-metallic materials.

5. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the portion of the outer surface covering the coil assembly is integrally formed with a remainder of the outer surface.

6. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the portion of the outer surface covering the coil assembly is coupled to a remainder of the outer surface.

7. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the personal electronic device comprises a second coil assembly positioned at a distance of 9 mm-35 mm from the coil assembly during charging.

8. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the component comprises a portion of the passenger seat such that the coil assembly is positioned behind a stowage location for a tray table.

9. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 8, wherein a second coil assembly is positioned within the tray table in a location that is within close proximity of the coil assembly when the tray table is in a stowed position.

10. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 9, wherein the tray table comprises an electronic reader.

11. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the coil assembly is positioned such that the personal electronic device charges while in an acceptable viewing position.

12. An aircraft passenger seat assembly comprising;

a passenger seat back comprising an outer shroud; and

an inductive wireless power unit comprising a coil assembly, wherein the coil assembly is positioned within the passenger seat back to charge a personal electronic device, wherein;

the coil assembly is positioned such that the personal electronic device charges while in an acceptable viewing position;

a portion of the outer shroud covers the coil assembly; and

wires connecting the coil assembly to a power supply are hidden from view within the passenger seat back.

13. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 12, wherein the inductive wireless power unit further comprises a printed circuit board positioned within the passenger seat back.

14. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 12, wherein the portion of the outer shroud covering the coil assembly is formed of non-metallic materials.

15. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 12, wherein the portion of the outer shroud covering the coil assembly is integrally formed with a remainder of the outer shroud.

16. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 12, wherein the portion of the outer shroud covering the coil assembly is coupled to a remainder of the outer shroud.

17. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 12, wherein the coil assembly is positioned within the passenger seat back adjacent to an upper literature pocket such that the personal electronic device charges when positioned in the upper literature pocket.

18. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 12, wherein the coil assembly is positioned within the passenger seat back adjacent to a lower literature pocket such that the personal electronic device charges when positioned in the lower literature pocket.

19. An aircraft passenger seat assembly comprising:

a tray table comprising a cutout, an outer shroud, and tray table arms pivotally coupled to the aircraft passenger seat assembly; and

an inductive wireless power unit comprising a coil assembly, wherein the coil assembly is positioned within the cutout of the tray table;

wherein a portion of the outer shroud covers the coil assembly; and

wherein wires connecting the coil assembly to a power supply are hidden from view along at least one of the tray table arms.

20. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 19, wherein the coil assembly is positioned such that a personal electronic device charges while in an acceptable viewing position.

21. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 19, wherein the portion of the outer shroud covering the coil assembly is integrally formed with a remainder of the outer shroud.

22. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 19, wherein the portion of the outer shroud covering the coil assembly is coupled to a remainder of the outer shroud.

23. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 19, wherein the wires are routed through a hollow core located within one of the tray table arms.

24. The aircraft passenger seat assembly of claim 19, wherein the wires are routed along an outer surface of one of the tray table arms.

25. An aircraft passenger seat assembly comprising:

a passenger seat comprising a cutout;

an inductive wireless power unit comprising a coil assembly, wherein the coil assembly is positioned within the cutout;

wherein the passenger seat is configured to receive and hold a personal electronic device adjacent to the cutout at an acceptable viewing position for a person seated behind the passenger seat; and

wherein the cutout is configured to position the coil assembly in close proximity to a coil assembly of the personal electronic device such that the personal electronic device charges while in the acceptable viewing position.

26. An aircraft passenger seat assembly comprising:

a tray table comprising a pivot location;

an inductive wireless power unit comprising a coil assembly, wherein the coil assembly is located within the pivot location of the tray table;

wherein the coil assembly is configured to be positioned in close proximity to a coil assembly of a personal electronic device to charge the personal electronic device.