System for detecting presence of a life vest in a life vest compartment
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to assemblies and methods for detecting the presence of a life vest and the opening of a life vest compartment, particularly for transport seating. The system includes electrical contacts located on compartment components and, in some embodiments, on the life vest, arranged to establish an electrical circuit when the compartment is closed and the vest is correctly positioned. A detection module monitors continuity within the circuit and signals any break that indicates compartment opening or removal of the vest. Status information can be transmitted to a control device through wired or wireless communication links, with optional visual or audio alerts upon detection of a change in state. Integration of the detection system with compartment closure mechanisms allows for non-intrusive, automated monitoring. This approach reduces manual inspection time, minimizes human error, and supports efficient compliance with safety requirements for emergency equipment storage and readiness.
1 . An assembly comprising:
a life jacket;
a life jacket compartment delimiting an internal space for receiving the life jacket, said life jacket compartment comprising a first part and a second part, wherein, when the life jacket compartment is in a closed state, the first part and the second part are pressed against each other, and when the life jacket compartment is in an open state, the first part and the second part are moved apart from each other in order to allow extraction of the life jacket; and
a detection system comprising:
at least two electrical contacts respectively on the first part and the second part so as to establish an electrical connection between them when the life jacket compartment is in the closed state; and
a detection module able to detect a break in the electrical connection between the electrical contacts, and wherein the life jacket further comprising an electrical contact arranged to establish an electrical connection with the electrical contacts on the parts, when the life jacket is inside the internal space in the life jacket compartment and the life jacket compartment is in the closed state.
2 . The assembly according to claim 1 comprising:
a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact each connected to an electrical wire of an electrical detection circuit, said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact being on the first part;
a third electrical contact on the second part; and
a fourth electrical contact on the life jacket, such that, when the life jacket is inside the internal space in the compartment and the life jacket compartment is in the closed state, an electrical connection is established between the first electrical contact of the first part and the fourth electrical contact of the jacket, and between the fourth electrical contact of the jacket and the third electrical contact on the second part, and between the third electrical contact on the second part and the second electrical contact on the first part.
3 . The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the electrical contacts are integrated on strips provided with hooks or loops for cooperating with each other to keep the life jacket compartment in the closed state.
4 . The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the electrical contacts comprise magnets for cooperating with each other to keep the life jacket compartment in the closed state.
5 . The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a communication module able to transmit information relating to a state of the electrical connection between the electrical contacts.
6 . The assembly according to claim 5 , further comprising a control device able to display a state of the electrical connection between the electrical contacts corresponding to a place of seat as a function of the information received from the communication module via a communication link.
7 . The assembly according to claim 6 , wherein the communication link is a wireless link.
8 . The assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising an alert system able to generate a light and/or sound signal when the detection module has detected a break in the electrical connection.
9 . A seat comprising at least one assembly according to claim 1 .
10 . The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical contacts are integrated on strips provided with hooks and loops for cooperating with each other to keep the life jacket compartment in the closed state.