Electronically actuated cable release mechanism for adjustable aircraft passenger seat features and method therefor
AssigneeB/E Aerospace, Inc.
InventorFrancis Xavier L. Garing
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a preferred embodiment, a mechanical cable release mechanism for actuating an adjustable feature of an aircraft passenger seat includes a driving control mechanism disposed within a seat bottom region of the passenger seat, a moveable control mechanism disposed between the seat bottom region and the adjustable feature, a mechanical cable connected at one end to the moveable control mechanism and at the other end to the driving control mechanism, and an electronic actuation mechanism configured, upon triggering, to activate the driving control mechanism to pull or push the mechanical cable, thereby actuating the moveable control mechanism.
Claims16
A cable release mechanism for actuating an adjustable feature of an aircraft passenger seat, comprising:
- a means for driving a mechanical cable;
- a means for switching on an operating mode of the means for driving, wherein the means for switching comprises an electronic switching mechanism;
- a means for activating the means for switching, wherein the means for activating comprises a passenger-activated control, and
- one of a wired signal and a wireless signal transmitted to the means for switching due to activation of the passenger-activated control;
- and
- a means for locking and unlocking the adjustable feature, wherein the means for locking and unlocking is connected to an opposite end of the mechanical cable from the means for driving;
- wherein, the means for switching, the means for driving, and the mechanical cable are designed for installation within a seat bottom region of the passenger seat;
- and wherein, upon activating the means for activating when installed in the passenger seat, the means for switching activates the means for driving, causing translation of the mechanical cable which translates the means for locking and unlocking, causing actuation of the adjustable feature.
An aircraft passenger seat with an electronically-activated cable release mechanism for actuating an adjustable feature of the passenger seat, comprising:
- a mechanical cable release mechanism, comprising
- a control mechanism comprising
- a driving control mechanism disposed within a seat bottom region of the passenger seat, and
- a moveable control mechanism disposed between the seat bottom region and the adjustable feature, wherein the moveable control mechanism includes a locking and unlocking function;
- and
- a mechanical cable connected at one end to the locking and unlocking function of the moveable control mechanism and at the other end to the driving control mechanism;
- and
- an electronic actuation mechanism configured to activate the driving control mechanism.
A method for retrofitting an aircraft passenger seat with an electronically-activated cable release mechanism, comprising:
- removing a cable activation mechanism disposed between a control mounted on an arm rest of the aircraft passenger seat and a moveable control mechanism, wherein the cable activation mechanism is configured to actuate an adjustable feature of the aircraft passenger seat;
- installing a driving control mechanism connected to a short mechanical cable in a seat bottom region of the aircraft passenger seat;
- connecting an opposite end of the short mechanical cable to a locking and unlocking function of the moveable control mechanism;
- and
- replacing the cable activation mechanism with an electronic actuation mechanism, wherein replacing the cable activation mechanism comprises installing a wire between the control mounted on the arm rest and the driving control mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.