U.S. patent application number 10/599359 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-15 for adjustable length cabling systems.
Invention is credited to Paul C. Burke, Mark Holmes, John S. Runzel.
Application Number | 20070262185 10/599359 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35064269 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070262185 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burke; Paul C. ; et
al. |
November 15, 2007 |
Adjustable Length Cabling Systems
Abstract
Adjustable length cabling systems are disclosed. A disclosed
cabling system for use with a passenger vehicle having a plurality
of rows of passenger seats includes a multi-conductor cable having
a length and first and second ends having respective first and
second connectors coupled thereto. The multi-conductor cable is
configured to convey electrical signals to at least one of the rows
of seats. The disclosed cabling system also includes a cable
storage unit configured to hold a coiled portion of the length of
the multi-conductor cable. The cable storage unit has a housing
portion configured to be mounted underneath at least one of the
passenger seats.
Inventors: |
Burke; Paul C.; (Lake
Forest, IL) ; Holmes; Mark; (Round Lake, IL) ;
Runzel; John S.; (Elgin, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATZIK, FRANK & SAMOTNY LTD.
150 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE
SUITE 1500
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
35064269 |
Appl. No.: |
10/599359 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
March 28, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US05/10289 |
371 Date: |
May 29, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60556666 |
Mar 26, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/370 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02T 50/46 20130101;
H01R 13/72 20130101; H01R 2201/26 20130101; B64D 11/0624 20141201;
Y02T 50/40 20130101; H02G 11/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/370 |
International
Class: |
B65H 75/34 20060101
B65H075/34 |
Claims
1. A cable assembly for use with a passenger vehicle having a
plurality of rows of passenger seats, comprising: a multi-conductor
cable having a length and first and second ends having respective
first and second connectors coupled thereto, wherein the
multi-conductor cable is configured to convey electrical signals to
at least one of the rows of seats; a cable storage unit configured
to hold a coiled portion of the length of the multi-conductor
cable, wherein the cable storage unit has a housing portion
configured to be mounted underneath at least one of the passenger
seats.
2. A cable assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the cable
storage unit comprises a chamber sized to accommodate the coiled
portion of the mult-conductor cable.
3. A cable assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the cable
storage unit comprises a reel configured to be rotated relative to
the housing to change the size of the coiled portion within the
cable storage unit.
4. A cable assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein the housing
comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs configured
to enable the reel to be rotated relative to the housing.
5. A cable assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the first and
second connectors include at least one of a DIN connector or an RCA
connector.
6. A cable assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the
multi-conductor cable comprises at least one Ethernet
conductor.
7. A cable assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is
an aircraft.
8. A cable assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the
multi-conductor cable includes at least one conductor made of
braided film coated wires.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/556,666, filed on Mar.
26, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference herein.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to cabling and,
more particularly, to adjustable length cable systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Seating arrangements associated with transportation such as,
for example, busses, trains, aircraft, etc. typically provide
multiple rows of seats for passengers. Each row may include one or
more adjacent seats, which may be joined via a mounting rail
assembly, base unit, or any other suitable frame or structure that
facilitates attachment of the seats to the transport. In addition,
the rows of seats are typically arranged to provide a walkway or
aisle, which is often located along the longitudinal axis of the
transport. Thus, rows of seats may be disposed on each side and
along the length of such an aisle or walkway.
[0004] In the case of modern commercial aircraft, passenger seats
typically provide a variety of electronic functions that require
power signals, communication signals, etc. In particular, as is
well known, aircraft passenger seats typically provide access to
in-flight entertainment such as audio programming, video
programming, etc., communication systems such as, for example,
telephone service, etc. To convey the electrical signals needed to
all of the passenger seats, fixed length cables or wiring harnesses
electrically couple one row of seats to a next row of seats. In
this manner, rows of passenger seats may be daisy-chained together
with these fixed length cables or wiring harnesses to provide
electrical power signals, communication signals, etc. to all of the
seats.
[0005] In some transports, particularly in commercial aircraft, it
is often desirable to change the distance between the rows of seats
to configure the aircraft for a different flight routing or
purpose. Unfortunately, because the rows of seats are often
electrically coupled to each other using fixed length cables, a
change (e.g., an increase) in seat row spacing typically requires
replacement of the existing fixed length cables with fixed length
cables having an appropriate length. Of course, changing
seat-to-seat cabling is a time consuming and expensive process. In
addition, many aircraft manufacturers and commercial airline
companies do not maintain a sufficient or complete stock (or in
some cases any stock) of different length cable assemblies. As a
result, the relatively long lead times associated with cable
assemblies make a relatively quick change in seat spacing
impractical.
[0006] The use of fixed length seat-to-seat cabling is further
complicated by the fact that spacing between seat rows is typically
not consistent for all rows along the length of the aircraft.
Specifically, the large numbers and variety of electrical and
mechanical sub-systems that are distributed throughout an aircraft
often require a particular row of seats to be located slightly
closer or slightly further from another row of seats to prevent,
for example, mechanical interference between one or more seats an
one or more of these sub-systems.
[0007] Additionally, the above-mentioned fixed length cable
assemblies used in connection with aircraft must comply with
stringent temperature and other environmental requirements.
Unfortunately, known cables compliant with these requirements
typically utilize a relatively large amount of insulation for each
of a plurality of the multiple conductors making up the cable as
well as a relatively thick (and stiff) outer jacket. Such large
amounts of insulation result in a relatively high stiffness and
weight per unit length, which are undesirable characteristics,
particularly for seat-to-seat cabling applications in commercial
aircraft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 depicts a row of aircraft seats.
[0009] FIG. 2 depicts a known manner in which fixed length cable
assemblies are used to provide power, data and other signals to
aircraft seats and to electrically couple one row of seats to
another.
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts an example adjustable length cable
system.
[0011] FIG. 4 depicts another example adjustable length cable
system.
[0012] FIG. 5 depicts an example manner in which the adjustable
length cable systems of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be used to couple signals
between aircraft seats.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a detailed depiction of one manner in which the
cabling used in the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be
implemented.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a detailed depiction of one manner in which the
Ethernet cable shown in FIG. 6 may be implemented.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] FIG. 1 depicts a row of aircraft seats. While the row of
seats depicted in FIG. 1 shows three adjacent seats, any other
number of seats could be used instead. Further, it should be
understood that while the example adjustable cable systems
described herein are described as being used in connection with
aircraft seats, the example adjustable cables systems are more
generally applicable. For example, the adjustable cable systems
described herein may be used in connection with any other types of
seats. Still further, the adjustable cable systems described herein
may be used in any other applications desired.
[0016] FIG. 2 depicts a known manner in which fixed length cable
assemblies are used to provide power, data and other signals to
aircraft seats and to electrically couple one row of seats to
another. As shown in FIG. 2, cables having extra length are used to
enable the rows of seats to be moved apart without having to
replace the cable assemblies. However, as depicted in FIG. 2, the
extra length of cabling is loosely placed underneath the seat and,
as a result, presents a potential hazard and/or failure if the
excess cabling is dislodged and falls onto the floor underneath the
seat.
[0017] FIG. 3 depicts an example adjustable length cable system.
The example system depicted in FIG. 3 includes a cable storage unit
300 and a cable assembly 302 having connectors or terminations 304,
306, 308 and 310. The cable storage unit 300 includes a spool or
reel 312 upon which a portion of the length of the cable assembly
302 is wound. The cable storage unit 300 also includes a base or
housing 314. The housing 314 includes a plurality of
circumferentially spaced tabs 316 configured to enable the reel 312
to be rotatable relative to the housing 314. Additionally, the tabs
316 may be further configured to retain the wound portion of the
cable assembly 302 against the reel 312. The housing 314 may also
provide mounting holes 318 to facilitate mounting of the cable
storage unit 300 underneath a seat, or in some other location. The
connectors 304, 306, 308 and 310 may include any desired
combination of DIN connectors, RCA connectors, or any other types
of electrical connectors.
[0018] In operation, the effective length of the adjustable cabling
system shown in FIG. 3 may be changed by rotating the reel 312
relative to the housing 314. In the example of FIG. 3, rotating the
reel 312 clockwise reduces the effective (e.g., overall) length of
the cabling system and rotating the reel 312 counter-clockwise
increases the effective length of the cabling system.
[0019] FIG. 4 depicts another example adjustable length cable
system. Similar to the example adjustable cabling system depicted
in FIG. 3, the example adjustable cabling system of FIG. 4 includes
a cable storage unit 400 and a cable assembly 402 having connectors
or terminations 404, 406, 408 and 410. In contrast to the example
system of FIG. 3, the cable storage unit 400 depicted in FIG. 4
does not include a reel or spool to enable rotatable retraction
and/or extension of a length of the cable assembly. Instead, the
storage unit 400 provides an internal chamber into which additional
length of the cable assembly 402 may be disposed (e.g., by manually
pushing a length of the cable assembly 402 into the chamber) and/or
extracted (e.g., again by manually pulling a length of the cable
assembly 402 from the chamber).
[0020] FIG. 5 depicts an example manner in which the adjustable
length cable systems of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be used to couple signals
between aircraft seats. As shown in the example implementation of
FIG. 5, the adjustable length cable systems described herein may be
used to eliminate loose lengths of cable (e.g., as depicted in FIG.
2) that facilitate changes in the distances between rows of seats
(e.g., in aircraft). As can be seen in the example of FIG. 5, in
contrast to known fixed length cable assemblies, the adjustable
length cabling systems described herein enable a single type of
cabling system to be used to electrically couple power, data and
other signals to multiple rows of seats within, for example,
aircraft and/or other transports. Further, with the example
adjustable length cabling systems described herein, changes in
distances between seats can be carried out without having to engage
in the costly process of designing, obtaining and installing
different fixed length cables.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a detailed depiction of one manner in which the
cabling used in the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be implemented.
As depicted in the example implementation of FIG. 6, the cabling
may be a multi-conductor cable 600 configured to convey various
power, data (e.g., Ethernet), and other electrical signals in
conformance with commercial aircraft requirements. To reduce
weight, and in contrast to prior aircraft cabin cabling, the
example cabling of FIG. 6 utilizes Litz wire, which meets the
voltage (e.g., 600 VAC), temperature (e.g., 200.degree. C.) and
flammability requirements (e.g., FAA FAR 25.869) of commercial
aircraft. However, other specifications may be met as well. As is
known, Litz wire is constructed of individual film insulated wires
bunched or braided together in a uniform pattern of twists and
length of lay. In addition, the outer jacket (not shown)
surrounding the multi-conductor cable 600 depicted in FIG. 6 may be
a high temperature braided fabric that provides a high degree of
mechanical flexibility, is lightweight, and meets the stringent
environmental requirements of commercial aircraft. The example
multi-conductor cable 600 of FIG. 6 includes an Ethernet cable
(e.g., a 26 AWG 100 ohm cable) 602, five Litz wire conductors
(e.g., 16 AWG 19/29), one of which is shown at reference number
604, and a single smaller gauge (e.g., 24 AWG, 19/36) Litz wire
conductor 606.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a detailed depiction of one manner in which the
Ethernet cable 602 shown in FIG. 7 may be implemented. As depicted
in FIG. 7, the example Ethernet cable 602 is fabricated using Litz
wire (e.g., 26 AWG, 19/38) to minimize weight, maximize mechanical
flexibility while meeting the environmental requirements associated
with commercial aircraft. The example Ethernet cable 602 includes
four conductors (one of which is shown at reference number 700),
which may be wrapped around an optional filler (not shown). In
addition, the example cable 602 includes a double shield 704 and
may include a PTFE binder between the conductors 700, the shield
704, and the outside of the shield 704. Using the example cabling
construction depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, a seventy-five inch long
cable may weigh approximately 0.73 pounds. In contrast, known fixed
length cables for use in commercial aircraft seat-to-seat cabling
having a length of about 47 inches may weigh more than 0.85
pounds.
[0023] Although certain methods, apparatus, and articles of
manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of
this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent
covers all apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture fairly
falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or
under the doctrine of equivalents.
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