EP2170645A2

EP2170645A2 - Vehicle seat interconnect

Info

Publication number: EP2170645A2
Application number: EP08775888A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Miguel Angel Furio; Christian Koppe; Shivaprakash Kainthaje Ramachandra; Niranjan Hegde Kundapur
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics UK Ltd
Current assignee: Tyco Electronics UK Ltd
Priority date: 2007-07-12
Filing date: 2008-07-08
Publication date: 2010-04-07
Also published as: WO2009007713A3; GB0713584D0; WO2009007713A2; GB2450922A

Abstract

A vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module comprises connector elements, a first intermediate member and a first spacer member. The intermediate member and spacer member extend between the connector elements and are operable to propagate power and/or data along their length. The intermediate member and spacer member are slidably movable with respect to each other.

Description

Vehicle Seat Interconnect

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat interconnect. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module.

Background of the Invention

Various vehicles are provided with a plurality of seats, for instance, aircraft, buses, and large family cars. Those seats are generally arranged in rows. Vehicles are increasingly being provided with entertainment systems that include various audiovisual devices.

In vehicles which are provided with such entertainment systems, there is a data and power connection between the rows of seats. In known systems, visual display units (referred to as a VDU hereafter) are provided in the backs of a first row of seats and the audio visual controller is provided in a second row of seats such that a user can operate the visual display unit provided in the back of a seat in the row directly in front. Such an arrangement may be repeated between adjacent rows of seats for the entire length of a vehicle.

In known systems there is therefore a need to link together the rows of seats. Any given row may need to be connected to the row of seats in front and behind it. The interconnecting cables carrying power and data are known in the art as a 'harness'. Harnesses are provided between rows of seats and connect seat distribution boxes (one of which is provided for each row of seats), and may also be used to connect seat distribution boxes to the source of all power and data for a given region of the vehicle, namely a floor distribution box.

Typically known harnesses take the form of cables. Those cables run in conduits provided in the floor of the vehicle between the rows of seats. Those conduits often form the part of a seat track. Seats are attached to the vehicle via the seat track provided on the floor of the vehicle. Typically the seat track includes various fixing points at regular intervals for vehicle seat legs. The seat track is typically covered by a plastic lid' which seals the harness within the conduit in the track, and protects against ingress of foreign items into the cable conduits and protects the cables against passenger loading or passenger interference.

In a typical cable harness arrangement, each cable in the harness extends between adjacent seat distribution boxes. A harness typically connects to a first seat distribution box, runs along a seat leg into a conduit provided in the seat track near the leg of the vehicle seat, runs along within the conduit to a position near the leg of a vehicle seat in the next row, runs up the seat leg and links to the seat distribution box provided below that seat.

The spacing between adjacent rows of seats, known as the 'pitch' of the seats may be adjusted by decoupling the vehicle seat legs from a seat track, and then recoypling the vehicle seat legs to the seat track. Typically a number of seat fixing points are provided along the length of the seat track. Each time the seats are disconnected, the cable harnesses are disconnected from the seat distribution boxes, the plastic 'lid' provided on the seat track removed, and the cable harness extracted^from the conduit in the seat track. Typically the conduit in the seat track has no capacity for storing any overiength of a cable harness. Once the pitch of the seats has been altered, each cable harness is typically replaced by a new cable harness of an appropriate length (shorter if the pitch of the seats is reduced, longer if the pitch of the seats in increased) . Currently cable harnesses of various lengths are provided for each of the seat pitches of any given vehicle.

It can be seen that changing the pitch of the vehicle seats results in the breaking of the electrical and mechanical connection between the seat distribution boxes and the harness. A result of the disconnection is that when reconnected each connection must be retested. Removal of the cable harness each time the seats are repitched is time and labour intensive and can result in mechanical or electrical failure in the resulting recoupling between seat distribution boxes.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an alternative vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect.

Summary of Invention Accordingly, the present invention provides a vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module comprising: connector elements, a first intermediate member and a first spacer member, the intermediate member and spacer member extending between the connector elements, being operable to propagate power and data along their length, and being slidably movable with respect to each other.

Providing a power and/or data interconnect module which is extendable between the connector elements mitigates the problem of needing to remove and disconnect the interconnect module from the seat distribution boxes each time the vehicle seat pitch is altered. Arranging the intermediate member and the spacer member such that they are slidably movable with respect to each other allows the interconnect module to be of variable length. When the vehicle seat pitch is altered, the length of the interconnect module can therefore often be changed without disconnection from the seat distribution boxes. Furthermore, the variable length of the interconnect module reduces the need for a large inventory of different length cable harnesses, to accommodate the various possible pitches of the vehicle seats.

The vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module may be a substantially closed unit. The data interconnect and/or power module may be sealed such that substantially all data and power transmitting portions are within a housing. That housing may simply be a coating on any cable sections. This helps to reduce ingress of contaminants resulting from, for example, spillage, and protects the module from passenger loading and interference.

The vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module may be dimensioned such that it may be substantially housed within a vehicle seat track. In particular, the intermediate member and spacer member may be dimensioned such that they may be substantially housed within a vehicle seat track.

Alternatively, the intermediate member and spacer member may be dimensioned such that they may be substantially housed within the vehicle seat, for example, within the leg(s) of a vehicle seat(s). Positioning a substantial part of the vehicle seat power < and/or data interconnect module within a seat track or within the seats may also help to reduce ingress of contaminants and protects the module from passenger loading and interference.

The connector elements may be integrally formed with the first intermediate member and spacer member or may be linked to the slidably movable spacer member and intermediate member by cable portions. Those cables may conduct both power and data signals and may be directly coupled to the seat distribution box.

The slidably movable elements, for example, the intermediate member and for spacer member(s) may themselves conduct power and/or data signals along their length. The intermediate and/or spacer members may be operable to conduct power and/or data at any sliding relative positions.

The vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module may be such that the first intermediate means comprises a sliding block and the first spacer member comprises a sliding harness interface, the sliding block being slidably coupled to the sliding harness interface. The sliding block and the sliding harness interface may be arranged to ensure that as the block and interface move (slide) relative to each other, power and/or data propagation along the seat interconnect module is maintained.

If the seat interconnect module comprises cable portions (for propagation of data and power between seat distribution boxes), the intermediate member and spacer member may be arranged such that when the overall length of the interconnect module is reduced, the overlength of cable portions is taken up by movement of the intermediate member and spacer member relative to each other.

The first intermediate member and first spacer member may be telescopically coupled. In such an arrangement, any overlength in the vehicle seat interconnect module when the overall length of the module is required to be reduced may be taken up by the coupling arrangement and relative movement of the intermediate member and the spacer member and vice versa.

The vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module may further comprise a second intermediate member. The first and second intermediate members may be telescopically coupled to the first spacer member. The first and second intermediate means may each comprise a sliding block and the first spacer member may comprise a sliding harness interface, the sliding blocks being slidably coupled to the sliding harness interface. The first and second intermediate members may each comprise a sliding harness interface and the first spacer member may comprise at least one sliding block, the sliding block being slidably coupled to a sliding harness interface.

In such arrangements, the first and second intermediate members may both be slidably movable with respect to the first spacer member. Provision of a plurality of parts which are slidably coupled relative to each other allows for increased flexibility with respect to the total overall length of the vehicle seat interconnect module. It will be understood that overlength can be more easily accommodated by an increased number of slidably coupled portions and that the module may be more easily increased in length by such an arrangement. Furthermore, in the case of a module comprising two slidable couplings, rather than one, each slidable coupling need take up only half the movement for a given increase or decrease on overall length of interconnect module.

The intermediate member and spacer member may include conductive regions for power and/or data propagation along their length. Each intermediate member and spacer member may include, for example, metallic portions, those metallic portions may take the form of cabling, or may be a series of contact plates. The conductive portions may, for example, take the form of a cable arranged in a coil (also known as a "snake harness"), or a carbon brush and rail arrangement. <

Data may propagate along the length of the intermediate member and spacer member by way of a collimated beam of light. Alternatively, data may propagate along a portion of the seat interconnect along appropriate fibre optic cabling.

The vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module may further comprise an electrical to optical signal converter and an optical to electrical signal converter to assist data propagation. In such an arrangement, the intermediate member and/or spacer member may be provided with a suitable appropriately paired and arranged light emitter and receiver.

The connector elements may be operable to couple with a seat distribution box. That coupling may be directly, or may be by means of a further connection piece.

Brief Description of the Drawings By way of example only, embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of vehicle seats on a seat rack in accordance with a known arrangement;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a known seat track and supporting structure in accordance with the arrangement of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a portion of the seat track of Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 4a and 4b are schematic representations of a vehicle seat interconnect in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5a is a side elevation schematically illustrating a second vehicle seat interconnect in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5b is an enlarged view of a portion of the vehicle seat interconnect shown in Figure 5a; Figures 6α and 6b are schematic representations of a portion of the vehicle seat interconnect of Figure 5 at minimum pitch and maximum pitch conditions respectively;

Figures 7a and 7b are perspective views of the portions of the vehicle seat interconnect shown in Figure 6;

Figures 8a and 8b are side elevations, schematically illustrating a vehicle seat interconnect in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention at minimum pitch and maximum pitch condition respectively; and

Figure 8c is a perspective view of a portion of the vehicle seat interconnect shown in Figure 8a at minimum pitch condition.

Description of the Embodiments

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an existing arrangement showing seats 1 on a seat track 6. The seat track 6 is mounted with the floor of the vehicle. The legs 4 of the seat 1 are mounted in the seat track 6 and fixed in position using seat fixings 5. The seat fixings 5 engage in recesses 7 of the seat track 6 (shown in more detail in Figure 3) to lock the seat 1 in position. The pitch A is the distance between the seats 1 and may be varied to suit different configuration needs of the vehicle housing the seat or seat rows 1.

The armrest of the seat 1 will typically house control devices 3 for interaction with a vehicle information system such as, for example, a floor distribution box 30 and an area distribution box 40 of an in-flight entertainment system. The control devices 3 will typically operate a visual display unit 2 mounted in the seat ahead. Hence, signals will need to pass between seats. To achieve this each seat or row of seats is provided with a seat distribution box 20 which is coupled with the control devices 3 and the visual display unit 2. The seat distribution box 20 will also be coupled with adjacent seat distribution boxes via a cable harness 1 1. The cable harness 1 1 runs in a conduit provided in the seat rail 6.

The cable harness 1 1 is protected by a track cover (not shown) which is mounted over the seat track 6 for safety reasons. The cable harness 1 1 couples seat distribution boxes 20 of adjacent seats. The seat distribution boxes are themselves coupled with the floor distribution box 30, which in turn is coupled with the area distribution box 40. The area distribution box 40 and floor distribution boxes 30 enable the entertainment system to be distributed throughout the vehicle. Figure 2 shows α cross-section of the vehicle floor which includes the seat track 6. As can be seen, the wiring harness 1 1 is retained within the seat track 6 in at least the regions between seats 1.

Figure 3 shows in more detail a plan view of the seat rail 6. In particular, the seat track 6 is provided with a number of recesses 7 at regular intervals for receiving the seat mountings 5. Typically, the spacing between these recesses 7 (known as the step) is fixed. A typical step B is 1 " (25.4mm).

Referring now to Figures 4 to 8, there are shown, various embodiments of a vehicle seat interconnect module in accordance with the present invention. The invention shall be described in the orientation shown in the drawings.

Figures 4a and 4b are schematic representations of a vehicle seat interconnect in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4a shows a vehicle seat power and data interconnect module 101 having connector elements 102, a first intermediate member 103 and a first spacer member 104. The intermediate member 103 and spacer member 104 extend between the connector elements 101 and are operable to propagate power and data along their length. The intermediate member 103 and spacer member 104 are slidably movable with respect to each other.

In particular, the intermediate member 103 and spacer member 104 are slidably

) ^ coupled together.

The connector elements 101 are operable to couple with a seat distribution box (not shown) by means of a further connection piece (not shown).

The first intermediate member 103 and first spacer member 104 are telescopically coupled. In this arrangement, any overlength in the vehicle seat interconnect module 101 may be taken up by the slidable coupling arrangement and, in particular, relative movement of the intermediate member 103 and the spacer member 104.

As will be described below, and can be seen from Figures 4a and 4b, such an arrangement allows power and data propagation along the seat interconnect module to be maintained as the overall length of the interconnect 101 is altered.

The vehicle seat power and data interconnect module 101 includes a conductive cable portion 105 in the form of a "snake harness" housed within a cavity formed between the intermediate member and spacer member. As the power and data interconnect module is increased in overall length (as shown in Figure 4b) by the telescopic action of the intermediate member 103 and the spacer member 104, the snake harness extends between the connector elements such that power may still propagate along the length of the intermediate member and spacer member.

Such a cabling arrangement may also be used for the propagation of data along a seat interconnect. However, in the embodiment shown there is also provided, housed within the intermediate member and spacer member, a light emitter 106 and a light receiver 107. The emitter 106 produces a collimated light beam 108 which is received by the receiver 107. In this way a light beam may be used to transmit data along the length of the seat interconnect module.

The vehicle seat interconnect of Figure 4a and 4b is a sealed unit that may be placed in a conduit in a seat track.

Figure 5a is a side elevation which schematically illustrates a vehicle seat interconnect module in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5b is an enlarged view of a portion of the vehicle seat interconnect shown in Figure 5a.

Figures 6a and 6b are schematic representations of a portion of the vehicle seat interconnect module of Figure 5 and Figures 7a and 7b are perspective views of the portions of the vehicle seat interconnect module shown in Figure 6. It can be seen, and will be explained below, how the overall length of the interconnect module may be changed by slidably moving the intermediate members relative to the spacer member.

The vehicle seat 1 itself is identical to the seat 1 shown in Figure 1. Also, the seat distribution box 20 is identical to that shown in Figure 1. However, the interconnect between the seat distribution boxes 20 differs.

The interconnect module in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is substantially housed within the seat track 6. An enlarged view of the portion of interconnect module housed within the track is shown in more detail in Figure 5b.

The vehicle seat power and data interconnect module 101 having connector elements 1 13, 1 14 (not shown in Figure 5a or 5b) for connecting directly to the seat distribution boxes 20, a first and a second intermediate member 1 10, 1 1 1 and a first spacer member 1 12. The first and second intermediate members are connected to the connector elements by lengths of suitable cable 120.

The intermediate members 1 10, 1 1 1 and spacer member 1 12 extend between the connector elements including the cable lengths 120 and are operable to propagate power and data along their length.

The intermediate members 1 10, 1 1 1 and spacer member 1 12 are slidably movable with respect to each other. In particular, the intermediate members 1 10, 1 1 1 and spacer member 1 12 are slidably coupled together.

The connector elements 1 13, 1 14 (not shown in Figure 5a or 5b) are operable to directly couple with a seat distribution box 20.

In this embodiment, the first and second intermediate means 1 10, 1 1 1 each comprise a sliding block and the first spacer member 1 12 is a sliding harness interface. The sliding blocks are slidably coupled to the sliding harness interface.

Provision of a plurality of parts which are slidably coupled relative to each other allows , for increased flexibility with respect to the total overall length of the vehicle seat interconnect module. Figures 6a and 6b (and 7a and 7b) show the sequential working of the interconnect located substantially between the vehicle seats. Figure 6a (and 7a) shows the relative position of the sliding blocks and sliding harness when the vehicle seats are at their minimum pitch. Figure 6b (and 7b) shows the relative position of the sliding blocks and sliding harness when the overall length of the interconnect module is at it greatest, and the pitch of the seats is therefore at its maximum.

/

It can be seen that the overlength of cable 120 is taken up along the length of the sliding harness 1 12 by the relative movement of the sliding blocks 1 10 and 1 1 1 along the sliding harness. It will be understood that any overlength of cable 120 can be more easily accommodated by an increased number of slidably coupled portions and that the module may be more easily increased in length, by such an arrangement. Furthermore, in the case of a module comprising two slidable couplings, rather than one, each slidable coupling need take up only half the movement for a given increase or decrease on overall length of interconnect module. This may be achieved as explained in the third embodiment of the invention. Power and data may propagate along the sliding blocks and sliding harness coupling by providing suitable conductive portions on the blocks and harness. Data may be propagated along the sliding block and harness arrangement in an analogous way to that shown in Figures 4a and 4b. Such an arrangement allows power and data propagation along the seat interconnect module to be maintained as the overall length of the seat interconnect is altered.

When the pitch A of the seats 1 is changed, this can be done without having to disconnect any cables from the seat distribution box 20. Furthermore, the arrangements can enable a range of pitches A to be selected without needing any specific cable length dedicated to that particular pitch. It will be appreciated that this significantly simplifies changing the pitch A of the seats since none of the cabling infrastructure needs to be disturbed or disconnected.

Accordingly, the need to comprehensively test the entertainment system following a change in pitch A can be obviated.

Hence, embodiments enable the seat pitch A to be altered without the need to remove any cabling or to disconnect the interconnect module each time. Instead, the seat 1 may be moved to a new position and the connector elements 1 13, 1 14 may still couple with the seat distribution boxes 20 while the length of the interconnect is altered by the sliding coupling between the intermediate members and the sliding harness.

Figures 8a and 8b are side elevations that schematically illustrate a vehicle seat interconnect in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8c is a perspective view of a portion of the vehicle seat interconnect shown in Figures 8a and 8b.

Where appropriate, the numbering conventions of previous Figures has been maintained.

The vehicle seat power and data interconnect module 101 having connector elements 1 13, 1 14 (not shown in Figure 8a to 8c) for connecting directly to the seat distribution boxes (not shown), a first and a second intermediate member 1 10, 1 1 1 and a first spacer member 1 12. The first and second intermediate members are connected to the connector elements by lengths of suitable cable 120. The intermediate members 1 10, 1 1 1 and spacer member 1 12 extend between the connector elements including the cable lengths 120 and are operable to propagate power and data along their length.

The connector elements 1 13, 1 14 (not shown) are operable to couple with a seat distribution box 20 directly.

In this embodiment, the first and second intermediate means 1 10, 1 1 1 each comprise a sliding harness interface and the first spacer member 1 12 comprises two sliding blocks 1 16, 1 17 linked by appropriate cabling. The sliding blocks 1 16, 1 17 are slidably coupled to each respective sliding harness interface 1 10, 1 1 1.

The embodiment shown in Figure 8 is such that the increase in length of the interconnect module is provided by two sliding couplings. The two sliding harness and sliding block assemblies may each be housed in a seat leg (as shown) and are therefore substantially sealed and protected against ingress of contaminants, passenger interference and loading. A single cable linking the two sliding blocks 1 16, 1 17 is easily housed within a cavity provided in the seat track 6.

Although particular embodiments have been described herein it will be apparent that the invention is not limited thereto, and that many modifications and additions may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, various combinations of the features from the embodiments and the following dependent claims could be made with features of the independent claims without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module comprising: connector elements, a first intermediate member and a first spacer member, the intermediate member and spacer member extending between the connector elements, being operable to propagate power and data along their length, and being slidably movable with respect to each other.

2. A vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module according to claim 1 , in which the module is a substantially closed unit.

3. A vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the first intermediate means comprises a sliding block and the first spacer member comprises a sliding harness interface, the sliding block being slidably coupled to the sliding harness interface.

4. A vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the first intermediate member and first spacer member are telescopically coupled.

5. A vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module according to any preceding claim, further comprising a second intermediate member, and in which first and second intermediate members are slidably movable with respect to the first spacer member.

6. A vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module according to claim 5, in which the first and second intermediate members are telescopically coupled to the first spacer member.

7. A vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module according to claim 5, in which the first and second intermediate means each comprise a sliding block and the first spacer member comprises a sliding harness interface, the sliding blocks being slidably coupled to the sliding harness interface.

8. A vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module according to any preceding claim, in which the intermediate member and spacer member include conductive regions for power and/or propagation along their length.

' 5 9. A vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module according to any preceding claim, wherein data propagates along the length of the intermediate member and spacer member by a collimated beam of light.

10. A vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module according to claim 9, 10 further comprising an electrical to optical signal converter and an optical to electrical signal converter to assist data propagation.

1 1. A vehicle seat power and/or data interconnect module according claim any preceding claim, in which the connector elements are operable to couple with a seat

15 distribution box.