US20070216204A1 - Seating apparatus - Google Patents
Seating apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070216204A1 US20070216204A1 US11/715,430 US71543007A US2007216204A1 US 20070216204 A1 US20070216204 A1 US 20070216204A1 US 71543007 A US71543007 A US 71543007A US 2007216204 A1 US2007216204 A1 US 2007216204A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- unit
- seating
- work light
- light unit
- region
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
- B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N3/00—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
- B60N3/001—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of tables or trays
- B60N3/002—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of tables or trays of trays
- B60N3/004—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of tables or trays of trays of foldable trays mounted on the back-rest
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
- B64D2011/0053—Cabin passenger reading lights
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D2203/00—Aircraft or airfield lights using LEDs
Definitions
- the invention relates generally to seating apparatuses, and particularly to a seating apparatus that includes at least one seating unit and at least one work light unit arranged in a rear region of the seating unit.
- Seating apparatuses in particular aircraft seating apparatuses, which have a seating unit and one or more work light units, are known.
- the work light units therein are arranged either in the region of a storage compartment or in a central console between two seating units.
- a seating apparatus and in particular a seating apparatus for aircraft seats, that provides particularly advantageous illumination of a work region for a passenger seated in the seating apparatus.
- a seating apparatus in particular an aircraft seating apparatus, is provided that includes at least one seating unit and as least one work light unit.
- the work light unit is arranged in a rear region of the seating unit, thus making it possible to achieve particularly advantageous illumination of a work region of the seating unit.
- the work light unit may be arranged in the region above a worktable of the seating unit, as a result of which a particularly efficient illumination for the worktable can be obtained.
- FIG. 1 shows a seating apparatus comprising a plurality of seating units
- FIG. 2 shows a schematic partial region of a seating apparatus with a seating unit
- FIG. 3 shows a schematic partial region of a seating unit from FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 1 shows a seating apparatus that includes three seating units 10 , 12 , 14 , each of which includes two work light units 16 , 18 , 20 , 22 , 78 , 80 .
- treating apparatus can be understood as meaning an apparatus comprising at least one seating unit, and preferably at least two seating units, with the individual seating units being arranged next to one another.
- a plurality of seating apparatuses are arranged one behind another within an aircraft such that the work light unit is provided in the rear region of a seating unit for use by a passenger located in a seating unit behind the seating unit containing the work light unit.
- a work light unit is to be understood, in particular, as meaning a unit which, in contrast to a display or to a viewing screen, is primarily provided in order to illuminate a work region located outside a work light unit.
- a “rear region” can be understood, in particular, as meaning a rear-wall region of a rear side of a backrest or of a rear housing of a seating unit.
- the work light unit is arranged on a shell unit of a rear housing of the seating unit, thus making it possible to achieve an illumination independent of a setting of the backrest of the seating unit by means of the work light unit.
- the work light unit may be arranged in the region above a worktable of the seating unit, as a result of which a particularly efficient illumination for the worktable can be obtained.
- “above a worktable” can be understood, in particular, as meaning a rear headrest region of the seating unit. Therefore, direct illumination of the worktable can be achieved.
- a headrest region can be understood as meaning an upper, rear region of a seating unit that takes up preferably at maximum 30%, and particularly advantageously at maximum 20%, of the upper, rear region.
- a “worktable” can be understood as meaning a table surface which can be unfolded and is arranged at the rear region of the seating unit.
- the work light unit is advantageously arranged in the region of an edge of the seating unit such that particularly good visibility of the work light unit can be achieved here.
- the arrangement of the work light unit in the region of an edge enables different regions of illumination to be obtained with just one work light unit.
- the “region of an edge” can be understood as meaning a region containing the edge and/or a region which is located within one of two abutting planes in the vicinity of the edge, with the distance of the work light unit from the edge preferably being smaller than 15%, and particularly advantageously smaller than 10%, of a length of extent of the plane, which length is oriented perpendicular to the edge.
- a surface of the work light unit is of curved design, as a result of which particularly good visibility and a large angle of radiation of the emitted light can be achieved.
- a “curved surface” can be understood as meaning a surface which is oriented three-dimensionally and/or is formed by a spherical surface, cylindrical surface, or the like.
- a main direction of extent of the work light unit at the rear region of the seating unit may be oriented essentially parallel to a table surface of a worktable.
- Essentially parallel can be understood in this context as meaning an orientation which preferably has an angle of inclination smaller than 15%, and particularly advantageously smaller than 10%, in relation to a reference surface. This enables a uniform illumination of the worktable to be obtained, since a distance of the work light unit from the worktable is essentially identical along the work light unit, with the worktable being unfolded in this case and therefore an area of extent of the worktable being oriented parallel to a floor, for example, to an aircraft floor.
- a main direction of extent of a work light unit can be understood as meaning a direction with a maximum extent, in particular a length, of the work light unit.
- one or more work light units can also be oriented at the rear region of the seat perpendicular to the work surface, thus making it possible to at least partially reduce an undesirable formation of shadows.
- the work light unit is arranged movably relative to the seating unit, as a result of which an individual capability of adapting the illumination to the work surface can be achieved by it being possible to orient the work light unit to individual regions of the work surface.
- the work light unit is particularly advantageously arranged movably perpendicular to the rear region, and therefore particularly effective illumination of the work region can be achieved.
- an undesirable formation of shadows on the work surface due to a laptop viewing screen can be largely avoided by it being possible to displace the work light unit directly above the input and output region of the computer.
- the work light unit is advantageously arranged on a plastically deformable swan neck element, as a result of which the region of illumination of the work light unit can be oriented in any desired direction and therefore undesirable formations of shadows can also be avoided.
- a “plastically deformable swan neck” can be understood as meaning a retaining arm, which can be bent in three dimensions, that is arranged at one end on the seating unit and at the other end of which the work light unit is arranged.
- the work light unit is arranged on the seating unit in a manner such that it can rotate about at least one axis, thus enabling a region of illumination of the work light unit to be conveniently set by a user by rotating said unit about an axis.
- a stable arrangement of the work light unit on the seating unit can therefore also be maintained.
- the work light unit is arranged on the seating unit in a manner such that it can rotate about at least one second axis, and therefore the work light unit can be oriented in virtually any desired directions and, as a result, formation of irritating shadows can be at least partially avoided.
- the seating apparatus may have at least one further work light unit, thus enabling simultaneous illumination of different regions to be obtained.
- the two work light units can be arranged in different regions of the seating unit such that a reduction of shadow regions can be achieved by the two work light units by it being possible for the shadow region of one of the two work light units to be canceled out by the other work light unit.
- At least one work light unit may comprise at least one light-emitting diode as lighting means, thereby enabling a particularly energy-saving refinement of the work light units to be obtained.
- light-emitting diodes are distinguished by a particularly long service life, and therefore additional costs and outlay on maintenance can be saved as a result.
- further lighting means appearing expedient to a person skilled in the art are also conceivable.
- At least one work light unit comprises at least one illuminating film as lighting means, with which a simple and space-saving configuration of relatively large illuminating surfaces, in particular curved illuminating surfaces, can be achieved.
- an “illuminating film” can be understood, in particular, as meaning a film built up from multiple layers, to be precise, in particular, with a layer formed by a rear electrode, a layer formed by an insulator, a layer formed by an illuminating material and a layer formed by a front electrode.
- the seating apparatus may comprise a unit which is provided for changing a light emission of the work light unit, as a result of which the light emission can be changed or set, for example by a passenger, and can thus be adapted to a particular situation.
- Changing a light emission can be understood in this context as meaning changing an intensity and/or selecting different wavelength ranges of the light emitted by the work light unit. The selection of different wavelength ranges can be achieved, for example, by connecting different optical wavelength filters in front of a lighting means.
- the unit may comprise a setting element which is provided for a central setting of the light emission of the work light unit, thus making it possible to achieve simple setting and/or operation of at least a plurality of work light units by a central setting element.
- a standard emergency illumination of the work light units can be switched to centrally, for example in an emergency situation of an aircraft.
- the setting of the work light unit by means of a central setting element is to have higher priority than a decentralized setting at the work light unit by a passenger, and therefore the decentralized setting is partially or else fully restricted in functionality during a predetermined duration of the settings by the central setting element.
- the unit advantageously comprises at least one operating element which is provided for setting the light emission of the work light unit, as a result of which convenient setting and/or operation can be made possible for an operator of the work light unit.
- the operating element may comprise a switch element, which can be arranged on the seating unit containing the work light unit, and/or may comprise a remote operating means.
- the work light units 16 , 18 , 20 , 22 , 78 , 80 are arranged in a rear region of the seating units 10 , 12 , 14 .
- the work light units 16 , 20 , 22 are each arranged in a shell unit 24 of a rear housing 26 and the work light units 18 , 78 , 80 are arranged on a respective swan neck element 34 , the swan neck element 34 being placed in each case on the rear housing 26 of the seating units 10 , 12 , 14 .
- the work light units 16 , 20 , 22 are each located in the region of a headrest 54 of the respective seating units 10 , 12 , 14 .
- respective rectangular viewing screens 56 are integrated into the shell units 24 .
- a respective unfoldable worktable 28 is arranged below the viewing screen 56 , the worktables 28 being unfoldable downwards.
- a rear table surface 58 is in each case flush with the rear shell unit 24 of the housing 26 .
- the table surface 58 is oriented parallel to a floor surface (not illustrated specifically here) of an aircraft.
- a respective storage compartments 60 is arranged in the rear housings 26 , with a depositing surface of the storage compartment 60 being oriented essentially parallel to the floor of the aircraft.
- FIG. 2 shows a partial section, comprising a seating unit 10 , of the seating apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- the seating unit 10 illustrated comprises two work light units 16 , 18 , the work light unit 16 being arranged in an edge region 64 in a region of a headrest 54 of the seating unit 10 , and the work light unit 18 being located on the plastically deformable swan neck element 34 .
- the seating unit 10 comprises a viewing screen 56 which can be unfolded upwards and is arranged below the work light units 16 , 18 .
- the work light unit 16 in the edge region 64 of the rear housing 26 is oriented essentially parallel to the table surface 58 of the unfolded worktable 28 ( FIG. 3 ).
- the work light unit 16 in the edge region 64 is oriented in such a manner that it ends flush with the shell unit 24 of the rear housing 26 ( FIG. 3 ).
- the arrangement in the edge region 64 causes the work light unit 16 to have a curved surface which extends over the entire edge region 64 covered by the work light unit 16 .
- the curved surface causes the work light unit 16 to be matched flush to an external geometry of the shell unit 24 in the region of the edge 30 in the rear region of the seating unit 10 .
- the curved surface of the work light unit 16 causes light to be emitted with differing angles of radiation.
- the work light unit 16 comprises a lighting means which is formed by an illuminating film 42 , the illuminating film 42 being essentially matched to a shape of the curved surface of the work light unit 16 ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ).
- the work light unit 16 is rotatable about two axes 36 , 38 in the region of the headrest 54 ( FIG. 3 ).
- the axis 36 is oriented parallel to an edge line 66 of the edge region 64 of the seating unit 10 , and therefore, when the work light unit 16 is rotated about the axis 36 , a region of illumination having a high light intensity of the work light unit 16 is directed at various regions of the table surface 58 of the worktable 28 .
- the work light unit 16 is arranged rotatably about the further axis 38 , with the axis 38 running perpendicularly to the edge line 66 of the edge region 64 and essentially perpendicularly to the table surface 58 of the unfolded worktable 28 , and therefore the illumination of the work surface 28 can be configured even more flexibly ( FIG. 3 ).
- the rotation of the work light unit 16 about one of the two axes 36 , 38 takes place independently of the rotation about the other axis 36 , 38 .
- the work light unit 16 in the edge region 64 of the seating unit 10 is arranged movably, as illustrated by dashed lines in FIG. 2 .
- the work light unit 16 can be displaced perpendicularly to the shell unit 24 of the rear housing 26 and essentially parallel to the plane of extent of the table surface 58 of the unfolded worktable 28 .
- the work light unit 16 in the displaced state, is furthermore rotatable about the axis 36 which is oriented parallel to the edge line 66 of the edge region 64 .
- effective illumination of the storage compartment 60 arranged below the worktable 28 is therefore also achievable ( FIG. 1 ).
- the plastically deformable swan neck element 34 is arranged in an upper corner region 70 of the shell unit 24 ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ).
- the swan neck element 34 is formed by a plastically deformable, tubular retaining arm, with the work light unit 18 being arranged at one end of the swan neck element 34 and the swan neck element 34 being mounted at another end on the shell unit 24 .
- the work light unit 18 on the swan neck element 34 comprises a lighting means formed by a light-emitting diode 40 .
- a power supply line 76 is located in the interior of the swan neck element 34 ( FIG. 3 ).
- the plastically deformable swan neck element 34 can be deformed three-dimensionally such that a region of radiation of the work light unit 18 can be set to virtually any desired angular range.
- a part of the swan neck element 34 that protrudes over the housing 26 can be set flexibly in its length by a partial region of the swan neck element 34 , which region reaches over the desired length, being accommodated in a recess (not illustrated specifically here) provided for it in the rear housing 26 of the seating unit 10 .
- the seating unit 10 comprises a unit 44 which is provided for changing a light emission of the work light units 16 , 18 arranged on the seating unit 10 ( FIG. 3 ).
- the unit 44 allows both a change of the light intensity and a selection of different wavelength ranges in the work light units 16 , 18 .
- the rotation of the work light unit 16 in the edge region 64 about the two axes 36 , 38 and the displacement perpendicular to the rear housing 26 can also be set by the unit 44 .
- the selection of the different wavelength ranges takes place in this case by filtering the desired wavelength region out of a spectral range of the emitted light of the particular work light unit 16 , 18 by means of optical filters (not illustrated here).
- the changing of the light intensity is achieved by a supply of current, differing from the unit 44 , to the particular work light unit 16 , 18 .
- the unit 44 is connected to the individual work light units 16 , 18 belonging to a seating unit 10 by means of an internal data line 74 , which is formed by a data bus, and the power supply line 76 .
- the internal data line 74 may also be formed by a radio link.
- the unit 44 is connected to a current supply unit (not illustrated specifically) which is located outside the seating apparatus, via a current supply line (not illustrated specifically).
- the setting of the light intensity or of the desired wavelength range takes place both centrally by means of a central setting element 46 and also by means of three operating elements 48 , 50 , 52 ( FIG. 3 ) which can be operated directly by a passenger located in a seating unit arranged behind the seating unit 10 .
- the setting element 46 and the three operating elements 48 , 50 , 52 are surrounded by the unit 44 .
- all of the work light units 16 , 18 , 20 , 22 , 78 , 80 are uniformly covered by the same setting ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ).
- the work light units 16 , 18 , 20 , 22 , 78 , 80 can only be set by the said setting element within a previously defined and/or settable period of time.
- the central setting element 46 is connected to the unit 44 via the internal data line 74 and to a central operating element (not illustrated specifically) via a data line (not illustrated specifically).
- the decentralized setting of the respective work light units 16 , 18 surrounded by a seating unit 10 takes place via the two operating elements 48 , 50 which are formed by a respective switch element and are arranged directly on the seating unit 10 , with a respective operating element 48 , 50 , formed by a switch element, being provided for the setting of a respective work light unit 16 , 18 .
- the switch element here is formed in each case by a touch-sensitive switch element which is designed with a touch-sensitive touch pad (not illustrated specifically here).
- the touch-sensitive switch elements By means of the touch-sensitive switch elements, a passenger can set both the intensity and the wavelength range of the particular work light unit 16 , 18 , with a setting menu being activated on the viewing screen 56 by touching the switch elements and therefore simpler setting and changing of the light emission of the particular work light unit 16 , 18 being achieved.
- further touch-sensitive switch elements appearing expedient to a person skilled in the art are always conceivable.
- the operating elements 48 , 50 formed by switch elements are also arranged, corresponding to the work light units 16 , 18 , in the region of the headrest 54 of the rear housing 26 of the seating unit 10 . In this case, the operating elements 48 , 50 are connected to the unit 44 and the work light units 16 , 18 via the internal data line 74 .
- the work light units 16 , 18 can be operated via a further operating element 52 which is formed by a remote operating means provided for operating the work light units 16 , 18 .
- the said operating element is connected to the unit 44 via a data line (not illustrated specifically). With this operating element 52 , the individual work light units 16 , 18 can be set independently of each other.
- seating apparatus is particularly advantageously suitable for aircraft, it can also be used in other areas appearing expedient to a person skilled in the art, such as, for example, in the area of vehicles, such as relatively large passenger vehicles, long-distance coaches, or ferries, or in the context of seating equipment for assembly halls, such as for a convention hall, a theater hall, a cinema hall and the like.
Abstract
An aircraft seating apparatus includes at least one seating unit and at least one work light unit. The work light unit is arranged in a rear region of the seating unit, thus making it possible to achieve particularly advantageous illumination of a work region of the seating unit. Furthermore, the work light unit may be arranged in the region above a worktable of the seating unit, as a result of which a particularly efficient illumination for the worktable can be obtained.
Description
- This application is related to, claims priority from, and incorporates by reference German Patent Application No. DE 10 2006 012 599.1, filed on Mar. 18, 2006.
- The invention relates generally to seating apparatuses, and particularly to a seating apparatus that includes at least one seating unit and at least one work light unit arranged in a rear region of the seating unit.
- Seating apparatuses, in particular aircraft seating apparatuses, which have a seating unit and one or more work light units, are known. The work light units therein are arranged either in the region of a storage compartment or in a central console between two seating units.
- However, there is a need for a seating apparatus, and in particular a seating apparatus for aircraft seats, that provides particularly advantageous illumination of a work region for a passenger seated in the seating apparatus.
- In view of the above, a seating apparatus, in particular an aircraft seating apparatus, is provided that includes at least one seating unit and as least one work light unit. The work light unit is arranged in a rear region of the seating unit, thus making it possible to achieve particularly advantageous illumination of a work region of the seating unit.
- Furthermore, the work light unit may be arranged in the region above a worktable of the seating unit, as a result of which a particularly efficient illumination for the worktable can be obtained.
- Further advantages emerge from the description below of the drawings, which illustrate various exemplary embodiments. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and put them together to form meaningful further combinations.
-
FIG. 1 shows a seating apparatus comprising a plurality of seating units, -
FIG. 2 shows a schematic partial region of a seating apparatus with a seating unit, and -
FIG. 3 shows a schematic partial region of a seating unit fromFIG. 2 . - Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals reference like parts,
FIG. 1 shows a seating apparatus that includes threeseating units work light units - The term “seating apparatus” can be understood as meaning an apparatus comprising at least one seating unit, and preferably at least two seating units, with the individual seating units being arranged next to one another. Ideally, a plurality of seating apparatuses are arranged one behind another within an aircraft such that the work light unit is provided in the rear region of a seating unit for use by a passenger located in a seating unit behind the seating unit containing the work light unit.
- Furthermore, a work light unit is to be understood, in particular, as meaning a unit which, in contrast to a display or to a viewing screen, is primarily provided in order to illuminate a work region located outside a work light unit. A “rear region” can be understood, in particular, as meaning a rear-wall region of a rear side of a backrest or of a rear housing of a seating unit. In a particularly advantageous manner, the work light unit is arranged on a shell unit of a rear housing of the seating unit, thus making it possible to achieve an illumination independent of a setting of the backrest of the seating unit by means of the work light unit.
- Furthermore, the work light unit may be arranged in the region above a worktable of the seating unit, as a result of which a particularly efficient illumination for the worktable can be obtained. In this connection, “above a worktable” can be understood, in particular, as meaning a rear headrest region of the seating unit. Therefore, direct illumination of the worktable can be achieved. In this connection, a headrest region can be understood as meaning an upper, rear region of a seating unit that takes up preferably at maximum 30%, and particularly advantageously at maximum 20%, of the upper, rear region. In this case, a “worktable” can be understood as meaning a table surface which can be unfolded and is arranged at the rear region of the seating unit.
- The work light unit is advantageously arranged in the region of an edge of the seating unit such that particularly good visibility of the work light unit can be achieved here. In addition, the arrangement of the work light unit in the region of an edge enables different regions of illumination to be obtained with just one work light unit. In this connection, the “region of an edge” can be understood as meaning a region containing the edge and/or a region which is located within one of two abutting planes in the vicinity of the edge, with the distance of the work light unit from the edge preferably being smaller than 15%, and particularly advantageously smaller than 10%, of a length of extent of the plane, which length is oriented perpendicular to the edge.
- In addition, it is proposed that a surface of the work light unit is of curved design, as a result of which particularly good visibility and a large angle of radiation of the emitted light can be achieved. In this case, a “curved surface” can be understood as meaning a surface which is oriented three-dimensionally and/or is formed by a spherical surface, cylindrical surface, or the like.
- In a further refinement, a main direction of extent of the work light unit at the rear region of the seating unit may be oriented essentially parallel to a table surface of a worktable. Essentially parallel can be understood in this context as meaning an orientation which preferably has an angle of inclination smaller than 15%, and particularly advantageously smaller than 10%, in relation to a reference surface. This enables a uniform illumination of the worktable to be obtained, since a distance of the work light unit from the worktable is essentially identical along the work light unit, with the worktable being unfolded in this case and therefore an area of extent of the worktable being oriented parallel to a floor, for example, to an aircraft floor. In this connection, a main direction of extent of a work light unit can be understood as meaning a direction with a maximum extent, in particular a length, of the work light unit. Alternatively or in addition, one or more work light units can also be oriented at the rear region of the seat perpendicular to the work surface, thus making it possible to at least partially reduce an undesirable formation of shadows.
- In addition, it is advantageous if the work light unit is arranged movably relative to the seating unit, as a result of which an individual capability of adapting the illumination to the work surface can be achieved by it being possible to orient the work light unit to individual regions of the work surface. In this case, the work light unit is particularly advantageously arranged movably perpendicular to the rear region, and therefore particularly effective illumination of the work region can be achieved. For example, in the case of work with a laptop, in particular with a notebook, an undesirable formation of shadows on the work surface due to a laptop viewing screen can be largely avoided by it being possible to displace the work light unit directly above the input and output region of the computer.
- The work light unit is advantageously arranged on a plastically deformable swan neck element, as a result of which the region of illumination of the work light unit can be oriented in any desired direction and therefore undesirable formations of shadows can also be avoided. In this connection, a “plastically deformable swan neck” can be understood as meaning a retaining arm, which can be bent in three dimensions, that is arranged at one end on the seating unit and at the other end of which the work light unit is arranged.
- Furthermore, it is proposed that the work light unit is arranged on the seating unit in a manner such that it can rotate about at least one axis, thus enabling a region of illumination of the work light unit to be conveniently set by a user by rotating said unit about an axis. By rotating it about an axis which is oriented parallel to a main direction of extent of the work light unit, a stable arrangement of the work light unit on the seating unit can therefore also be maintained. It is particularly advantageous if the work light unit is arranged on the seating unit in a manner such that it can rotate about at least one second axis, and therefore the work light unit can be oriented in virtually any desired directions and, as a result, formation of irritating shadows can be at least partially avoided.
- In a further refinement of the invention, the seating apparatus may have at least one further work light unit, thus enabling simultaneous illumination of different regions to be obtained. In addition, the two work light units can be arranged in different regions of the seating unit such that a reduction of shadow regions can be achieved by the two work light units by it being possible for the shadow region of one of the two work light units to be canceled out by the other work light unit.
- Furthermore, at least one work light unit may comprise at least one light-emitting diode as lighting means, thereby enabling a particularly energy-saving refinement of the work light units to be obtained. In addition, light-emitting diodes are distinguished by a particularly long service life, and therefore additional costs and outlay on maintenance can be saved as a result. As an alternative or in addition, further lighting means appearing expedient to a person skilled in the art are also conceivable.
- In an advantageous manner, at least one work light unit comprises at least one illuminating film as lighting means, with which a simple and space-saving configuration of relatively large illuminating surfaces, in particular curved illuminating surfaces, can be achieved. In this connection, an “illuminating film” can be understood, in particular, as meaning a film built up from multiple layers, to be precise, in particular, with a layer formed by a rear electrode, a layer formed by an insulator, a layer formed by an illuminating material and a layer formed by a front electrode.
- In a further refinement of the invention, the seating apparatus may comprise a unit which is provided for changing a light emission of the work light unit, as a result of which the light emission can be changed or set, for example by a passenger, and can thus be adapted to a particular situation. “Changing a light emission” can be understood in this context as meaning changing an intensity and/or selecting different wavelength ranges of the light emitted by the work light unit. The selection of different wavelength ranges can be achieved, for example, by connecting different optical wavelength filters in front of a lighting means.
- Furthermore, the unit may comprise a setting element which is provided for a central setting of the light emission of the work light unit, thus making it possible to achieve simple setting and/or operation of at least a plurality of work light units by a central setting element. In this case, a standard emergency illumination of the work light units can be switched to centrally, for example in an emergency situation of an aircraft. In this connection, the setting of the work light unit by means of a central setting element is to have higher priority than a decentralized setting at the work light unit by a passenger, and therefore the decentralized setting is partially or else fully restricted in functionality during a predetermined duration of the settings by the central setting element.
- The unit advantageously comprises at least one operating element which is provided for setting the light emission of the work light unit, as a result of which convenient setting and/or operation can be made possible for an operator of the work light unit. In this case, the operating element may comprise a switch element, which can be arranged on the seating unit containing the work light unit, and/or may comprise a remote operating means.
- Referring again to
FIG. 1 , thework light units seating units work light units shell unit 24 of arear housing 26 and thework light units swan neck element 34, theswan neck element 34 being placed in each case on therear housing 26 of theseating units work light units headrest 54 of therespective seating units work light units shell units 24. A respectiveunfoldable worktable 28 is arranged below theviewing screen 56, theworktables 28 being unfoldable downwards. In an arrangement of theworktables 28 in which they are not unfolded, arear table surface 58 is in each case flush with therear shell unit 24 of thehousing 26. In an unfolded arrangement of theworktables 28, thetable surface 58 is oriented parallel to a floor surface (not illustrated specifically here) of an aircraft. Below theworktables 28, a respective storage compartments 60 is arranged in therear housings 26, with a depositing surface of thestorage compartment 60 being oriented essentially parallel to the floor of the aircraft. -
FIG. 2 shows a partial section, comprising aseating unit 10, of the seating apparatus illustrated inFIG. 1 . Theseating unit 10 illustrated comprises twowork light units work light unit 16 being arranged in anedge region 64 in a region of aheadrest 54 of theseating unit 10, and thework light unit 18 being located on the plastically deformableswan neck element 34. In addition, theseating unit 10 comprises aviewing screen 56 which can be unfolded upwards and is arranged below thework light units work light unit 16 in theedge region 64 of therear housing 26 is oriented essentially parallel to thetable surface 58 of the unfolded worktable 28 (FIG. 3 ). - In addition, the
work light unit 16 in theedge region 64 is oriented in such a manner that it ends flush with theshell unit 24 of the rear housing 26 (FIG. 3 ). The arrangement in theedge region 64 causes thework light unit 16 to have a curved surface which extends over theentire edge region 64 covered by thework light unit 16. The curved surface causes thework light unit 16 to be matched flush to an external geometry of theshell unit 24 in the region of theedge 30 in the rear region of theseating unit 10. In addition, the curved surface of thework light unit 16 causes light to be emitted with differing angles of radiation. Thework light unit 16 comprises a lighting means which is formed by an illuminatingfilm 42, the illuminatingfilm 42 being essentially matched to a shape of the curved surface of the work light unit 16 (FIGS. 2 and 3 ). - In order to configure the region of illumination by means of the
work light unit 16 on thetable surface 58 of theworktable 28 to be as flexible as possible, thework light unit 16 is rotatable about twoaxes FIG. 3 ). Theaxis 36 is oriented parallel to anedge line 66 of theedge region 64 of theseating unit 10, and therefore, when thework light unit 16 is rotated about theaxis 36, a region of illumination having a high light intensity of thework light unit 16 is directed at various regions of thetable surface 58 of theworktable 28. In addition, thework light unit 16 is arranged rotatably about thefurther axis 38, with theaxis 38 running perpendicularly to theedge line 66 of theedge region 64 and essentially perpendicularly to thetable surface 58 of the unfoldedworktable 28, and therefore the illumination of thework surface 28 can be configured even more flexibly (FIG. 3 ). The rotation of thework light unit 16 about one of the twoaxes other axis - In addition, the
work light unit 16 in theedge region 64 of theseating unit 10 is arranged movably, as illustrated by dashed lines inFIG. 2 . In this case, thework light unit 16 can be displaced perpendicularly to theshell unit 24 of therear housing 26 and essentially parallel to the plane of extent of thetable surface 58 of the unfoldedworktable 28. In addition, in the displaced state, thework light unit 16 is furthermore rotatable about theaxis 36 which is oriented parallel to theedge line 66 of theedge region 64. In addition to flexible illumination of theworktable 28, effective illumination of thestorage compartment 60 arranged below theworktable 28 is therefore also achievable (FIG. 1 ). - Next to the
work light unit 16 in theedge region 64 of theseating unit 10, the plastically deformableswan neck element 34, on which the furtherwork light unit 18 is located, is arranged in anupper corner region 70 of the shell unit 24 (FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Theswan neck element 34 is formed by a plastically deformable, tubular retaining arm, with thework light unit 18 being arranged at one end of theswan neck element 34 and theswan neck element 34 being mounted at another end on theshell unit 24. Thework light unit 18 on theswan neck element 34 comprises a lighting means formed by a light-emittingdiode 40. In order to supply the light-emittingdiode 40 of thework light unit 18 with power, a power supply line 76 is located in the interior of the swan neck element 34 (FIG. 3 ). The plastically deformableswan neck element 34 can be deformed three-dimensionally such that a region of radiation of thework light unit 18 can be set to virtually any desired angular range. In addition, a part of theswan neck element 34 that protrudes over thehousing 26 can be set flexibly in its length by a partial region of theswan neck element 34, which region reaches over the desired length, being accommodated in a recess (not illustrated specifically here) provided for it in therear housing 26 of theseating unit 10. In principle, it is also conceivable to provide theseating unit 10 with further swan neck elements. - Furthermore, the
seating unit 10 comprises aunit 44 which is provided for changing a light emission of thework light units FIG. 3 ). In this case, theunit 44 allows both a change of the light intensity and a selection of different wavelength ranges in thework light units work light unit 16 in theedge region 64 about the twoaxes rear housing 26 can also be set by theunit 44. The selection of the different wavelength ranges takes place in this case by filtering the desired wavelength region out of a spectral range of the emitted light of the particularwork light unit unit 44, to the particularwork light unit unit 44 is connected to the individualwork light units seating unit 10 by means of aninternal data line 74, which is formed by a data bus, and the power supply line 76. As an alternative or in addition, theinternal data line 74 may also be formed by a radio link. Furthermore, theunit 44 is connected to a current supply unit (not illustrated specifically) which is located outside the seating apparatus, via a current supply line (not illustrated specifically). - The setting of the light intensity or of the desired wavelength range takes place both centrally by means of a
central setting element 46 and also by means of three operatingelements FIG. 3 ) which can be operated directly by a passenger located in a seating unit arranged behind theseating unit 10. In this case, the settingelement 46 and the three operatingelements unit 44. During operation of thecentral setting element 46, all of thework light units FIGS. 1 and 2 ). During operation of thecentral setting element 46, thework light units central setting element 46 is connected to theunit 44 via theinternal data line 74 and to a central operating element (not illustrated specifically) via a data line (not illustrated specifically). - The decentralized setting of the respective
work light units seating unit 10 takes place via the two operatingelements seating unit 10, with arespective operating element work light unit work light unit viewing screen 56 by touching the switch elements and therefore simpler setting and changing of the light emission of the particularwork light unit elements work light units headrest 54 of therear housing 26 of theseating unit 10. In this case, the operatingelements unit 44 and thework light units internal data line 74. In addition, thework light units further operating element 52 which is formed by a remote operating means provided for operating thework light units unit 44 via a data line (not illustrated specifically). With this operatingelement 52, the individualwork light units - It should be noted that, while the above discussed seating apparatus is particularly advantageously suitable for aircraft, it can also be used in other areas appearing expedient to a person skilled in the art, such as, for example, in the area of vehicles, such as relatively large passenger vehicles, long-distance coaches, or ferries, or in the context of seating equipment for assembly halls, such as for a convention hall, a theater hall, a cinema hall and the like.
- The invention is described herein in detail with particular reference to presently preferred exemplary embodiments. However, it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Claims (17)
1. An aircraft seating apparatus, comprising:
at least one seating unit; and
at least one work light unit arranged in a rear region of the seating unit.
2. The seating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the work light unit is arranged on a shell unit of a rear housing of the seating unit.
3. The seating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the work light unit is arranged in the region above a worktable of the seating unit.
4. The seating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the work light unit is arranged in the region of an edge of the seating unit.
5. The seating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a surface of the work light unit is of curved design.
6. The seating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a main direction of extent of the work light unit at the rear region of the seating unit is oriented essentially parallel to a table surface of a worktable.
7. The seating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the work light unit is movably arranged relative to the seating unit.
8. The seating apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the work light unit is arranged on a plastically deformable swan neck element.
9. The seating apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the work light unit is arranged on the seating unit in a manner such that it can rotate about at least one axis.
10. The seating apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the work light unit is arranged on the seating unit in a manner such that it can rotate about at least one second axis.
11. The seating apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising at least a second additional work light unit.
12. The seating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the work light unit comprises at least one light-emitting diode as lighting means.
13. The seating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the work light unit comprises at least one illuminating film as lighting means.
14. The seating apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a unit which is provided for changing a light emission of the work light unit.
15. The seating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the unit comprises a setting element which is provided for a central setting of the light emission of the work light unit.
16. The seating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the unit comprises at least one operating element which is provided for setting the light emission of the work light unit.
17. The seating apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the work light unit is arranged on the seating unit in a manner such that it can rotate about at least one second axis.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE102006012599A DE102006012599A1 (en) | 2006-03-18 | 2006-03-18 | seat device |
DEDE102006012599.1 | 2006-03-18 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070216204A1 true US20070216204A1 (en) | 2007-09-20 |
Family
ID=38117535
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/715,430 Abandoned US20070216204A1 (en) | 2006-03-18 | 2007-03-08 | Seating apparatus |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070216204A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1834876A2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE102006012599A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10773611B2 (en) | 2015-07-03 | 2020-09-15 | Bühler Motor GmbH | Decentralized seat control system |
EP4137407A1 (en) * | 2021-08-19 | 2023-02-22 | Goodrich Lighting Systems, Inc. | Seat light systems and methods for aircraft cabins |
US20230059651A1 (en) * | 2021-08-19 | 2023-02-23 | Goodrich Corporation | Seat light systems and methods for aircraft cabins |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130340749A1 (en) * | 2012-06-22 | 2013-12-26 | Wolfgang Rittner | Passenger reading light integrated in psu/emergency oxygen device |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2514322A (en) * | 1946-04-26 | 1950-07-04 | Acf Brill Motors Company | Illuminating unit for reclining vehicle seat backs |
US2619395A (en) * | 1949-05-09 | 1952-11-25 | Thomas A Kent | Adjustable folding table for automobile seats |
US3019050A (en) * | 1960-02-15 | 1962-01-30 | Aerotec Ind Inc | Aircraft seats and aircraft seating |
US4233649A (en) * | 1977-09-27 | 1980-11-11 | Peter Scheer | Treatment chair with cool-light lamp for dental medicinal purposes |
US4702519A (en) * | 1984-07-02 | 1987-10-27 | Irvin Industries, Inc. | Vanity mirror |
US6394551B1 (en) * | 1997-12-31 | 2002-05-28 | Prince Corporation | Multi-function headrest |
US6428096B2 (en) * | 1999-11-29 | 2002-08-06 | Faurecia Autositze Gmbh & Co. Kg | Car seat with lighting |
US6994401B1 (en) * | 2000-09-14 | 2006-02-07 | Lear Corporation | Seat backrest cover module |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE6803477U (en) * | 1968-10-23 | 1969-03-20 | Lemken Kg Pflugfab | SADDLE BED PLOW |
DE10042495A1 (en) * | 2000-08-30 | 2002-03-14 | Volkswagen Ag | Arrangement for positioning image observation unit has coupling arrangement enabling observation unit to be moved between two positions by moving covering arrangement |
EP1245444A1 (en) * | 2001-03-31 | 2002-10-02 | SIDLER GMBH & CO | Vehicle seat with integrated reading light |
DE10302986A1 (en) * | 2003-01-25 | 2004-08-05 | Schefenacker Vision Systems Germany Gmbh & Co. Kg | Interior lighting for motor vehicles |
WO2006042051A2 (en) * | 2004-10-08 | 2006-04-20 | B/E Aerospace, Inc. | Lighting apparatus |
-
2006
- 2006-03-18 DE DE102006012599A patent/DE102006012599A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2007
- 2007-01-18 EP EP07000956A patent/EP1834876A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2007-03-08 US US11/715,430 patent/US20070216204A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2514322A (en) * | 1946-04-26 | 1950-07-04 | Acf Brill Motors Company | Illuminating unit for reclining vehicle seat backs |
US2619395A (en) * | 1949-05-09 | 1952-11-25 | Thomas A Kent | Adjustable folding table for automobile seats |
US3019050A (en) * | 1960-02-15 | 1962-01-30 | Aerotec Ind Inc | Aircraft seats and aircraft seating |
US4233649A (en) * | 1977-09-27 | 1980-11-11 | Peter Scheer | Treatment chair with cool-light lamp for dental medicinal purposes |
US4702519A (en) * | 1984-07-02 | 1987-10-27 | Irvin Industries, Inc. | Vanity mirror |
US6394551B1 (en) * | 1997-12-31 | 2002-05-28 | Prince Corporation | Multi-function headrest |
US6428096B2 (en) * | 1999-11-29 | 2002-08-06 | Faurecia Autositze Gmbh & Co. Kg | Car seat with lighting |
US6994401B1 (en) * | 2000-09-14 | 2006-02-07 | Lear Corporation | Seat backrest cover module |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10773611B2 (en) | 2015-07-03 | 2020-09-15 | Bühler Motor GmbH | Decentralized seat control system |
EP4137407A1 (en) * | 2021-08-19 | 2023-02-22 | Goodrich Lighting Systems, Inc. | Seat light systems and methods for aircraft cabins |
US20230059651A1 (en) * | 2021-08-19 | 2023-02-23 | Goodrich Corporation | Seat light systems and methods for aircraft cabins |
US11851187B2 (en) * | 2021-08-19 | 2023-12-26 | Goodrich Corporation | Seat light systems and methods for aircraft cabins |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1834876A2 (en) | 2007-09-19 |
DE102006012599A1 (en) | 2007-09-20 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US9487134B2 (en) | Seat back illumination module | |
US8348455B2 (en) | Overhead reading lamp for a passenger seat | |
US20070216204A1 (en) | Seating apparatus | |
US8556478B2 (en) | Illumination device for several people in airplanes | |
US20030174499A1 (en) | LED light source | |
US20180327096A1 (en) | Luminaire and luminaire module | |
JP2019074732A (en) | Led module seam illumination | |
CN111623286A (en) | Fan lamp | |
JP4967968B2 (en) | Interior lighting | |
US11607049B2 (en) | Illuminated seat panel | |
CN101949510A (en) | Lighting device | |
US10611299B1 (en) | Articulating armrest light assembly | |
CN203893035U (en) | Lighting device with a light-source module having two emitting surfaces | |
US6896395B2 (en) | Vehicular retractable interior lighting system | |
JP2006232185A (en) | Indirect lighting system for vehicle cabin | |
CN209191794U (en) | Inside-automobile rear mirror with illumination functions | |
CN219606887U (en) | All-angle luminous tool lamp and lamp body thereof | |
JP2010073553A (en) | Surface light emitting device | |
JP5202991B2 (en) | Railroad vehicle reading lamp and railcar equipped with the same | |
KR20210043817A (en) | Vehicle interior structure with indirect lighting space to change reflective images by using rotational motion of diffusion cylinder | |
CN212057156U (en) | Spotlight with adjustable irradiation angle | |
KR20100009796A (en) | Automobile vanity mirror apparatus | |
US20230286652A1 (en) | Aircraft passenger reading light | |
JP2017197146A (en) | On-vehicle lighting device | |
JP4770731B2 (en) | Indirect lighting system for passenger compartment |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: RECARO AIRCRAFT SEATING GMBH & CO. KG, GERMANY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SCHWEIZER, OLIVER;REEL/FRAME:019074/0923 Effective date: 20070304 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |