Method and device for adapting the seat row arrangement in passenger planes according to need

• US 7,232,094 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2004
• Issued: 06/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bishop GmbH
• Original Assignee: Bishop GmbH
• Inventors: Bishop, Peter, Madoui, Noureddine
• Primary Examiner(s): ELDRED, JOHN W
• Application Number:
  US10/934,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20050061914A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 244/118.5, 244/118.6, 244/122.R, 297/217.3, 297/217.7, 297/243, 297/248, 297/257
• US Class Current: 244/118.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/01575 key sliding inside the vehicle floor or rail
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/06 Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats crew seat constructions for emergency purposes B64D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0696 Means for fastening seats to floors, e.g. to floor rails

Abstract

To allow for optimum arrangement of the rows of seats for any individual flight, the distance between rows is adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the passenger plane, optionally according to sections, by storing in a control device an actually desired arrangement of rows, and automatically displacing (via the control device) every row whose position has to be changed to achieve the actually desired arrangement of rows on its fastening rails to the position determined by the actually desired arrangement of rows. In this way, it is possible to provide a passenger plane, preferably prior to landing, with the data of the actual passenger distribution and the resulting optimum arrangement of rows for the next flight so that it can be prepared after landing for the next flight in the shortest possible time.

Claims

1. A method for adapting a seat row arrangement in a passenger plane according to a desired seat row arrangement, in which seat row distances are set in the longitudinal direction in the passenger plane, said distances optionally differing in some sections, said plane including an avionics system for navigation and/or flight control, the method comprising:

storing a currently desired seat row arrangement in a control device integrated into the avionics system of the plane; and

automatically moving each seat row whose position is to be changed to obtain the currently desired seat row arrangement, under control by the control device, on fastening rails, to the position predetermined by the currently desired seat row arrangement.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

generating, via the control device, at least one control signal for each seat row whose position is to be changed in order to obtain the currently desired seat row arrangement;

releasing the locking of the seat row on the fastening rails in accordance with the control signal, by control of a drive device in such a manner that the seat row is moved on the fastening rails to the position predetermined by the currently desired seat row arrangement; and

actuating a closure device for the re-locking of the seat row in the predetermined position on the fastening rails.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein, if the desired seat row arrangement has more or fewer seat rows than currently present, a corresponding number of seat rows are removed from the passenger plane or installed in the passenger plane.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the avionics system comprises an Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) system.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the currently desired seat row arrangement is configured for input by an air crew via an interface.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the interface comprises a Cabin Interface Device System (CIDS).

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the currently desired seat row arrangement is transmitted to the passenger plane from a logistics center of the airport by remote data transmission and is stored in the control device.

8. A passenger plane for the implementation of the method as claimed in claim 1, having at least one electronically controllable closure device to lock each seat row on the fastening rails, and having at least one driving devices for the selective, continuous moving of each seat row to a desired position.

9. The passenger plane as claimed in claim 8, further comprising, for each seat row, at least one electric motor for the driving device and with at least one electromagnetic drive for the closure device.

10. The passenger plane as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a data processing system including a program to carry out functions of the control device.

11. A method for adapting a seat row arrangement in a passenger plane according to a desired seat row arrangement, in which seat row distances are set in a longitudinal direction in the passenger plane, said distances optionally differing in some sections, the plane including an avionics system for navigation and/or flight control, the method comprising:

storing in a control device a currently desired seat row arrangement;

automatically moving each seat row whose position is to be changed on fastening rails to the position predetermined by the currently desired seat row arrangement, in accordance with the control device, to obtain the currently desired seat row arrangement;

integrating the control device in the avionics system of the plane; and

transmitting the currently desired seat row arrangement for the next flight from a logistics center of the airport by remote data transmission to the passenger plane before it lands and is stored in the control device.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

generating, via the control device, at least one control signal for each seat row whose position is to be changed in order to obtain the currently desired seat row arrangement, which control signal (a) brings about the automatic release of the locking of the seat row on the fastening rails, (b) controls the operation of a driving device in such a manner that the seat row is moved on the fastening rails to the position predetermined by the currently desired seat row arrangement, and (c) brings about the actuation of a closure device for the re-locking of the seat row in the predetermined position on its fastening rails.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein, if the desired seat row arrangement has more or fewer seat rows than currently present, a corresponding number of seat rows are removed from the passenger plane or installed in the passenger plane.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the currently desired seat row arrangement is configured for input by the air crew via an interface.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the interface comprises a Cabin Interface Device System (CIDS).

16. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the avionics system comprises an Integrated Modular Avionics system (IMA).

17. A passenger plane for the implementation of the method as claimed in claim 11, said passenger plane comprising:

at least one electronically controllable closure device to lock each seat row on the fastening rails;

a driving device for the selective and continuous moving of each seat row to a desired position; and

a program that is operable in a data processing system of the plane, said control device being configured to perform at least one function via the program, the program being integrated in the avionics system and being configured for the purpose of receiving and storing the currently desired seat row arrangement for the next flight which is transmitted to the passenger plane from a logistics center of an airport by remote data transmission before the plane lands.

18. The passenger plane as claimed in claim 17, wherein each seat row is provided with an electric motor for the driving device and with an electromagnetic drive for the closure device.