Device and method for controlling a seat actuator in a vehicle such as an aircraft

• US 8,954,239 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2012
• Issued: 02/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PGA Electronic SA (Astronics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: PGA Electronic SA (Astronics Corporation)
• Inventors: Piaulet, Jean-Francois, Bordichon, Christophe
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheung, Mary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mazzara, Anne
• Application Number:
  US14/005,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20140001802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,063 Days
• Field of Search: 701/49
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0025 by using weight measurement
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/003 characterised by the sensor mounting location in or on the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02 the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable adjustable arm-rests B60N2/75; adjustable head-rests B60N2/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0273 taking into account user data, e.g. knee height or physical state
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/948 the actuation of the positioning or locking mechanism for one seat part being dependent on the position of another seat part, e.g. the seats floor lock being unlocked when the back-rest is inclined or the backrest can be tilted only when the seat is in its rear position
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/40 Force or pressure sensors
• 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 11/06395 characterised by the arrangement of electric motors for adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/064 Adjustable inclination or position of seats
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0643 Adjustable foot or leg rests

Abstract

The invention relates to a control device for controlling an actuator for moving a mobile element of a seat in a vehicle. The control device comprises: a measuring device for determining a reference parameter relating to a passenger in the seat and/or to the state of the vehicle, and power-limiting means for defining a maximum limit for the power generated by the actuator in accordance with said parameter. The invention further relates to a seat or aircraft comprising the aforementioned device, and to a control method using said device.

Claims

1. A control device for controlling at least one actuator for moving a mobile element of a seat in a vehicle, wherein said control device comprises:

a measuring device including a tilt sensor for determining the tilt of said vehicle with respect to the horizontal direction; and

a power-limiting means for defining a maximum limit for the power generated by said actuator depending on the tilt measured by the tilt sensor wherein the power limiting means is configured to impose a limit value of the power that can be generated by the actuator based on the defined maximum limit for the power.

2. The control device of claim 1, wherein said measuring device comprises a weight measuring means configured to provide information on a component of the weight of said passenger being exerted against said actuator.

3. The control device of claim 2, wherein said weight measuring means is associated with said actuator so as to enable a direct measurement of said component of the weight of said passenger being exerted against said actuator.

4. The control device of claim 2, wherein said weight measuring means is configured to measure a component of the weight of said passenger being exerted along a predetermined direction against a component of the seat separate from said actuator, and wherein said measuring device is configured to provide information on said component of the weight of said passenger being exerted against said actuator from the result of the measurements carried out respectively by said weight measuring means and by said tilt sensor.

5. A method for controlling an actuator for moving a mobile element of a seat in a vehicle by means of a control device according to claim 2, said method comprising:

performing a comparison between the value of the tilt of said vehicle with respect to the horizontal direction and the information provided by said weight measurement means, and a mapping of several ranges of values for said tilt to predetermined maximum power values;

defining a maximum limit for the power generated by said actuator in accordance with the tilt of said vehicle with respect to the horizontal direction determined by said tilt sensor of said measuring device of said control device and in accordance with the information provided by said weight measuring means of said measuring device of said control device based on the comparison; and

imposing a limit value of the power that can be generated by the actuator based on the defined maximum limit for the power.

6. A method for controlling an actuator for moving a mobile element of a seat in a vehicle by means of a control device according to claim 1, said method comprising:

performing a comparison between the value of the tilt of said vehicle with respect to the horizontal direction and a mapping of several ranges of values for said tilt to predetermined maximum power values;

defining a maximum limit for the power generated by said actuator in accordance with the tilt of said vehicle with respect to the horizontal direction determined by said tilt sensor of said measuring device of said control device based on the comparison; and

imposing a limit value of the power that can be generated by the actuator based on the defined maximum limit for the power.

7. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 5, wherein said method is repeated at regular intervals during each operation of said actuator.

8. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 5, wherein said method is carried out a single time at the start of each operation of said actuator.

9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a seat for a vehicle, comprising:

at least one mobile element; and

at least one actuator for moving said mobile element.

10. The device according to claim 1 further comprising an aircraft with at least one seat comprising:

at least one mobile element; and

at least one actuator for moving said mobile element.