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US-12617534-B2 - Modular seat control system

US12617534B2US 12617534 B2US12617534 B2US 12617534B2US-12617534-B2

Abstract

An embodiment seat control system includes a control board having a processing unit, wherein the processing unit has one or more processors and one or more memories, and a mainboard. The processing unit is communicatively attached to the mainboard and mainboard has a plurality of receptacles and mainboard includes one or more communication buses between at least one of the plurality of receptacles and the processing unit. The system further has one or more system modules, where each module of the one or more system modules is configured to be connected to a respective receptacle of the plurality of receptacles, where each module of the one or more system modules implements a functional capability of a seat, and where the one or more system modules are nondestructively removeable from the mainboard.

Inventors

  • Joshua Lawrence Bell
  • Matthew William Reese

Assignees

  • TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20230727

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A seat control system, comprising: a control board comprising: a processing unit, wherein the processing unit comprises one or more processors, and one or more memories; and a mainboard, wherein the processing unit is communicatively attached to the mainboard, wherein the mainboard has a plurality of receptacles, and wherein the mainboard includes one or more communication buses between at least one of the plurality of receptacles and the processing unit; one or more system modules, wherein each module of the one or more system modules is configured to be connected to a respective receptacle of the plurality of receptacles, wherein each module of the one or more system modules implements a functional capability of a seat, wherein the one or more system modules are nondestructively removeable from the mainboard, and wherein at least a first module of the one or more system modules comprises a motor configured to move at least a portion of the seat; and at least one button unit communicatively connected to the control board; wherein the processing unit is configured to automatically recognize each respective system module of the one or more system modules when the respective system module is installed by connecting the respective system module to a respective receptacle of the plurality of receptacles, wherein the processing unit being configured to automatically recognize each respective system module comprises the processing unit being configured to recognize each respective system module in response to at least one of the respective system module providing a unique identifier for a particular type of device, by the processing unit performing a handshake with the respective system module to identify the respective system module, or by the processing unit identifying a type of the respective system module according to a connection port to which the respective system module is connected; and wherein the processing unit is further configured to send, to the first module, signaling for control of the motor in response to an input to the at least one button unit by a user.
  2. 2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more system modules comprise one or more of a seatback recline release system, a seat heating system, a leg rest positioning system, a seat swivel system, a seat inboard or outboard tracking system, or a lumbar system.
  3. 3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one button unit comprises at least one of an inboard button unit or an outboard button unit, and wherein the at least one of the inboard button unit or the outboard button unit has one or more buttons is operable to send signaling to the control board, based on a seat occupant input, for operation of one or more functional capabilities of the seat.
  4. 4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the at least one of the inboard button unit or the outboard button unit has one or more LED indicators for indicating a position or status of a functional capability of the seat.
  5. 5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a system module of the one or more system modules is connected to the control board by a serial bus of the one or more communications buses.
  6. 6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control board is disposed in an armrest of the seat.
  7. 7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the control board is disposed vertically in the armrest, and the armrest has a removable panel disposed in an opening adjacent to the control board, wherein the removable panel is attached to the armrest by magnets.
  8. 8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control board is configured to control functional capabilities of a two or more seats.
  9. 9 . A seat system, comprising: a seat structure, wherein the seat structure comprises armrests; a control board disposed in a first armrest of the armrests, and wherein the control board comprises: a processing unit, wherein the processing unit includes one or more processors, at least one communication bus, and one or more memories; a mainboard, wherein the processing unit is communicatively attached to the mainboard, wherein the mainboard has a plurality of receptacles; and one or more system modules, wherein each module of the one or more system modules is disposed a respective receptacle of the plurality of receptacles, wherein each system module of the one or more system modules implements a functional capability of a seat, wherein each system module of the one or more system modules is configured to communicate over the communications bus with the processing unit, wherein the one or more system modules are non-destructively removeable from the mainboard, and wherein at least a first module of the one or more system modules comprises a motor configured to move at least a portion of the seat structure; one or more systems disposed in the seat system and related to the one or more system modules; a power supply configured to supply power to the processing unit and to the one or more systems of the seat system; and at least one button unit communicatively connected to the control board; wherein the processing unit is configured to automatically recognize each respective system module of the one or more system modules when the respective system module is installed by connecting the respective system module to a respective receptacle of the plurality of receptacles, wherein the processing unit being configured to automatically recognize each respective system module comprises the processing unit being configured to recognize each respective system module in response to at least one of the respective system module providing a unique identifier for a particular type of device, by the processing unit performing a handshake with the respective system module to identify the respective system module, or by the processing unit identifying a type of the respective system module according to a connection port to which the respective system module is connected; and wherein the processing unit is further configured to send, to the first module, signaling for control of the motor in response to an input to the at least one button unit by a user.
  10. 10 . The seat system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more system modules comprise one or more of a seatback recline release system, a seat heating system, a leg rest positioning system, a seat swivel system, a seat inboard or outboard tracking system, or a lumbar positioning system.
  11. 11 . The seat system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one button unit comprises at least one of an inboard button unit or an outboard button unit, wherein the at least one of the inboard button unit and the outboard button unit has one or more buttons is operable to send signaling to the control board, based on a user input, for operation of one or more functional capabilities of the seat system, wherein the inboard button unit is located on an inboard armrest of the armrests, and wherein the outboard button unit is located on an outboard armrest of the armrests.
  12. 12 . The seat of claim 11 , wherein the at least one of the inboard button unit or the outboard button unit is communicatively connected to the control board by a wireless connection.
  13. 13 . The seat system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one of the inboard button unit or the outboard button unit has one or more LED indicators for indicating a position or status of a functional capability of the seat system.
  14. 14 . The seat system of claim 9 , wherein the control board further includes one or more voltage regulators connected to the processing unit.
  15. 15 . The seat system of claim 9 , wherein the control board is disposed vertically in the first armrest, and wherein the first armrest has a removable panel disposed in an opening adjacent to the control board, wherein the removable panel is attached to the armrest by magnets.
  16. 16 . The seat system of claim 9 , wherein the control board is configured to control functional capabilities of the seat system and another seat.
  17. 17 . A seat control system, comprising: a control board, comprising: a processing unit having one or more processors, at least one communication bus, and one or more non-transitory computer readable memories storing program code for controlling a plurality of system modules installed in a seat to cause each system module of the plurality of system modules to provide a functional capability of the seat; and a mainboard, wherein the processing unit is communicatively attached to the mainboard, and wherein the mainboard is configured to enable the processing unit to communicate with each system modules of the plurality of system modules; the plurality of system modules, wherein each system module of the plurality of system modules is removably connected to, and in signal communication with, the mainboard, wherein each system module is configured to provide a functional capability of the seat under control of the processing unit, and wherein at least a first module of the plurality of system modules comprises a motor configured to move at least a portion of the seat; a voltage regulator, connected to the mainboard, wherein the program code for controlling the plurality of system modules includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the voltage regulator to selectively control power to at least one system module of the plurality of system modules; and at least one button unit communicatively connected to the control board; wherein the processing unit is configured to automatically recognize each respective system module of the plurality of system modules when the respective system module is installed by connecting the respective system module to the mainboard, and wherein the processing unit being configured to automatically recognize each respective system module comprises the processing unit being configured to recognize each respective system module in response to at least one of the respective system module providing a unique identifier for a particular type of device, by the processing unit performing a handshake with the respective system module to identify the respective system module, or by the processing unit identifying a type of the respective system module according to a connection port to which the respective system module is connected; and wherein the processing unit is further configured to send, to the first module, signaling associated with control of the motor in response to an input to the at least one button unit by a user.
  18. 18 . The seat control system of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of system modules comprises one or more of a seatback recline release system, a seat heating system, a leg rest positioning system, a seat swivel system, a seat inboard or outboard tracking system, or a lumbar system.
  19. 19 . The seat control system of claim 17 , wherein the at least one button unit comprises at least one of an inboard button unit or an outboard button unit, wherein the at least one of the inboard button unit and the outboard button unit has one or more buttons is operable to send signaling to the control board, based on a seat occupant input, associated with operation of one or more functional capabilities of the seat.
  20. 20 . The seat control system of claim 17 , wherein the control board is disposed vertically in an armrest, and the armrest has a removable panel disposed in an opening adjacent to the control board, wherein the removable panel is attached to the armrest by magnets.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to an improved system and method for controlling the subsystems in a seat, and, in particular embodiments, to a modular electronic system for unified control and actuation for a seat in, for example, an aircraft cabin. BACKGROUND Generally, each element of, for example, an aircraft cabin seat utilizes separate controllers for each subsystem. For example, a seat a control mechanism for a recline release is separate from a seat control mechanism for the inboard/outboard tracking systems of the seat. This results in increased failure potentials for the seat, increased component weight and costs, increased maintenance requirements, and increased costs over the life of the platform when compared to seats utilizing a unified architecture. Further, some systems rely on mechanical linkages, which are difficult to operate and unable to be adjusted over the life of the seat to account for changing tolerances based on wear and tear. Additionally, the size of the average passenger has increased over time, and airline travel has become more commonplace, resulting in a need to allow for increased weight requirements for travelers. Reducing the weight of the systems of the aircraft permits more weight can be apportioned to travelers, accommodating more travelers or heavier travelers. SUMMARY In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an improved modular electronic system for unified control and actuation for a seat comprises as follows. An embodiment seat control system includes a control board having a processing unit, wherein the processing unit has one or more processors and one or more memories, and a mainboard. The processing unit is communicatively attached to the mainboard and mainboard has a plurality of receptacles and mainboard includes one or more communication buses between at least one of the plurality of receptacles and the processing unit. The system further has one or more system modules, where each module of the one or more system modules is configured to be connected to a respective receptacle of the plurality of receptacles, where each module of the one or more system modules implements a functional capability of a seat, and where the one or more system modules are nondestructively removeable from the mainboard. An embodiment seat includes a seat having armrests, a control board disposed in a first armrest of the armrests, the control board having a processing unit that includes one or more processors, at least one communication bus, and one or more memories, a mainboard, where the processing unit is communicatively attached to the mainboard, and the mainboard has a plurality of receptacles, and one or more system modules. Each module of the one or more system modules is disposed a respective receptacle of the plurality of receptacles, each system module of the one or more system modules implements a functional capability of a seat, each system module of the one or more system modules is configured to communicate over the communications bus with the processing unit, and the one or more system modules are non-destructively removeable from the mainboard. The system further has a power supply configured to supply power to the processing unit and to systems of the seat related to the one or more system modules. An embodiment seat control system includes a control board, having a processing unit having one or more processors, at least one communication bus, and one or more non-transitory computer readable memories storing program code for controlling a plurality of system modules installed in a seat to cause each system module of the system module to provide a functional capability of the seat, and a mainboard, where the processing unit is communicatively attached to the mainboard, and where the mainboard is configured to enable the processing unit to communicate with each system modules of the plurality of system modules. The seat control system further has the plurality of system modules, where each system module of the plurality of system modules is removably connected to, and in signal communication with, the mainboard, and where each system module is configured to provide a functional capability of the seat under of the processing unit, and a voltage regulator, connected to the mainboard, where the program code for controlling a plurality of system modules includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the voltage regulator to selectively control power to at least one system module of the plurality of system modules. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a modular electronic system for unified control and actuation for a seat according to some embodiments;